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Lot Essay
These vases are similar in type and size to the famous 'Soldier Vases' or 'Dragonervasen' in the Collection of Augustus the Stong in the Japanese Palace at Dresden, noted in the first inventory of the collections in 1723; See Schätze Chinas aus Museen der DDR, Catalogue, pl. 214
and 215, pp. 312-313.
During the 17th and 18th Centuries, numerous German princes and dukes
of minor but highly competitive electorates and courts sold or hired
out their soldiers as demand and necessity required, frequently in
exchange for such socially significant and culturally enriching works
of art such as Chinese porcelain recently imported to the region through the North European East Companies. It has been recorded that in 1717, six hundred cavalrymen were worth 151 pieces which included 18 large vases such as the one above.
and 215, pp. 312-313.
During the 17th and 18th Centuries, numerous German princes and dukes
of minor but highly competitive electorates and courts sold or hired
out their soldiers as demand and necessity required, frequently in
exchange for such socially significant and culturally enriching works
of art such as Chinese porcelain recently imported to the region through the North European East Companies. It has been recorded that in 1717, six hundred cavalrymen were worth 151 pieces which included 18 large vases such as the one above.