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Lot Essay
The monogram FR (Fredericus Rex) could refer to either King Frederick I of Prussia (1701-13) or Frederick the Great (Frederick II, 1740-86). It has been suggested that the identical candlesticks by Christian Liberkühn in the Royal Prussian Collection at Doorn House were made to match an existing service forged for King Frederick I around 1710. This resolves the anachronistic style of the candlestick and the engraving.
Two identical sets of candlesticks were made by different 18th century makers (one set by Christian Lieberkühn, circa 1747, the other by "Müller"). It could be suggested that the candlesticks made by "Müller" belong to the earlier service made for Frederick I, around 1710. However, in addition to citing an identical candlestick in his entry for "Müller," Scheffler also lists a twin-branch candelabra and a silver-gilt bowl, both in the rococo style. Thus according to Scheffler's research, "Müller" was working in the same period as Lieberkühn. Until further research is completed, we must conclude that this candlestick (and other examples by "Müller") was probably made around 1750, much like those by Liberkühn.
It appears as though the Prussian royal cyphers were not regulated in the same way as those of other royal families. Instead, the cyphers varied, depending on the style and the whim of the engraver. For example, the cypher of Frederick II took on a Rococo character when engraved on a presentation plate made by Christian Liberkühn in 1746/47 (Kaiserliches Gold und Silber, No. 53), an interesting comparison to the more restrained engraving on this candlestick.
Similar examples have been sold:
Parke Bernet, New York, 20 April 1946, lot 4, (four by Lieberkühn)
Christie's, London, 16 June 1967, lot 173, (two with mark of "MÜLLER", four by Liberkühn)
Christie's, New York, 18 April 1989, lot 277 (maker's mark FW over "MÜLLER")
Christie's, New York, 21 October 1993, lot 41 (two by MÜLLER, one by Lieberkühn, and a fourth (19th century) example by Hossauer)
Christie's, London, 31 October 2002, Silver, Porcelain and Glass from the Royal Prussian Collection, lot 28
Similar examples have been exhibited:
The Royal Prussian Collection, Doorn House (four by Christian Lieberkühn, Berlin, circa 1747)
Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin (five displayed)
Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kultursiftung, Friedrich der Grosse: Sammler und Mázer, 28 November, 1992 - 23 February 1993
Two identical sets of candlesticks were made by different 18th century makers (one set by Christian Lieberkühn, circa 1747, the other by "Müller"). It could be suggested that the candlesticks made by "Müller" belong to the earlier service made for Frederick I, around 1710. However, in addition to citing an identical candlestick in his entry for "Müller," Scheffler also lists a twin-branch candelabra and a silver-gilt bowl, both in the rococo style. Thus according to Scheffler's research, "Müller" was working in the same period as Lieberkühn. Until further research is completed, we must conclude that this candlestick (and other examples by "Müller") was probably made around 1750, much like those by Liberkühn.
It appears as though the Prussian royal cyphers were not regulated in the same way as those of other royal families. Instead, the cyphers varied, depending on the style and the whim of the engraver. For example, the cypher of Frederick II took on a Rococo character when engraved on a presentation plate made by Christian Liberkühn in 1746/47 (Kaiserliches Gold und Silber, No. 53), an interesting comparison to the more restrained engraving on this candlestick.
Similar examples have been sold:
Parke Bernet, New York, 20 April 1946, lot 4, (four by Lieberkühn)
Christie's, London, 16 June 1967, lot 173, (two with mark of "MÜLLER", four by Liberkühn)
Christie's, New York, 18 April 1989, lot 277 (maker's mark FW over "MÜLLER")
Christie's, New York, 21 October 1993, lot 41 (two by MÜLLER, one by Lieberkühn, and a fourth (19th century) example by Hossauer)
Christie's, London, 31 October 2002, Silver, Porcelain and Glass from the Royal Prussian Collection, lot 28
Similar examples have been exhibited:
The Royal Prussian Collection, Doorn House (four by Christian Lieberkühn, Berlin, circa 1747)
Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin (five displayed)
Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kultursiftung, Friedrich der Grosse: Sammler und Mázer, 28 November, 1992 - 23 February 1993