CIRCA 1774, UNDERGLAZE BLUE SCEPTRE MARKS

Details

Four Berlin busts
Circa 1774, underglaze blue sceptre marks
Each on baluster pedestals with canted corners and inset with gilt-edged shaped panels, modelled as a sultan and sultana in jewelled and striped pink and purple turbans, he with fur-lined yellow cloak over gilt and blue waistcoat, she with orange and green cloak over striped bodice, and as two figures, he in puce and white striped headband and green-lined orange robe, she in white, gilt and orange headdress with green laurel wreath, green and gilt chain with gilt medallion and pink-lined yellow robe revealing her chest (chip to back of base of Sultan, chip to nose of classical man, slight rubbing to gilding)
The largest 4 3/8 in. (11 cm.) high (4)

Literature

The left two are illustrated by Erich Köllmann and Margarete Jarchow, op. cit. (Munich 1987), Vol. II, p. 365, fig. 165.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

See Winfried Baer, Ilse Baer and Suzanne Grosskopf-Knaack, op. cit. (Berlin 1986), p. 105, fig. 43 for a set of four similar busts representing Bellona, Europa, Amphitrite and Neptune (illustrated with a fifth, apparently unrelated bust).

It is possible that these busts were perhaps intended to depict the Four Continents.

More from A CENTURY OF BERLIN

View All