A Berlin pale-celadon and gold-ground topographical Französischen vase
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A Berlin pale-celadon and gold-ground topographical Französischen vase

CIRCA 1858, BLUE PRINTED EAGLE WITHIN A CIRCLE AND SCEPTRE MARKS, INDISTINCT INCISED MARK, THE THREADED FIXING SCREW STAMPED NO. 1 AND 1858 AND REPEATED IN INK SCRIPT ON THE WOOD WASHER

Details
A Berlin pale-celadon and gold-ground topographical Französischen vase
Circa 1858, blue printed eagle within a circle and sceptre marks, indistinct incised mark, the threaded fixing screw stamped no. 1 and 1858 and repeated in ink script on the wood washer
With two matt-gilt griffin and foliage handles, the body painted after Carl Daniel Freydanck with views of Sanssouci bei Potsdam. and Das Neue Palais bei Potsdam., named on the interior of the neck in black, within richly burnished gilt gadrooned rectangular surrounds flanked by gilt scrolling foliage and swans, the flared cylindrical gilt neck with a band of foliage and two circular medallions, the lower part with radiating foliage above a gilt-metal collar on a flared circular foot burnished with gilt foliage and gadroons and a plain gilt square base (some very minor rubbing to foot and base)
27¼ in. (69 cm.) high
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. Christie's generally offer property consigned by others for sale at public auction. From time to time, lots are offered which Christie's International Plc or one of its subsidiary companies owns in whole or in part. Such a lot is offered subject to a reserve, unless otherwise stated. This is such a lot.

Lot Essay

Apparently given by Prinz Friedrich (1831-1888), later Kaiser Friedrich III, to Queen Victoria's doctor, Sir James Clarke, on the safe delivery of his son, Wilhelm (1859-1941), later Kaiser Wilhelm II. Friedrich III was married to Victoria, Princess of Great Britain, daughter of Queen Victoria.

The form is essentially the Französischen form but with the very unusual addition of the griffin's head handles. The scenes are taken from oil paintings by Carl Daniel Freydanck (1811-1887). The view of the magnificent terrace at Sanssouci was executed by Freydanck in 1843. Sanssouci, the extraordinary pavilion and country residence of Frederick the Great was built by the architect Georg von Knobeldorff between 1745 and 1747. The terraces were originally were finely manicured and planted with fruit, but by the 19th century they appear to have fallen into disrepair and become overgrown. It was only in 1842 that the waterworks became fully functional, and the fountain was an immediate sensation. See Ilse Baer et al., Along the Royal Road (1993), p. 192, no. 74.

The majestic Neues Palais was built between 1763-69 and designed by the architects Johann Gottfried Büring and Heinrich Ludwig Manger, although Frederick the Great was so intimately involved in the design and construction that many felt it was his inspiration. For a discussion of the building and other views see Ilse Baer et al., ibid. (1993), pp. 202-203, nos. 81 and 82.

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