CIRCA 1740, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARKS, PRESSNUMMER 2 TO THREE PIECES AND 11 TO ONE CUP

Details

A PAIR OF MEISSEN CORAL-GROUND TEACUPS AND SAUCERS
CIRCA 1740, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARKS, PRESSNUMMER 2 TO THREE PIECES AND 11 TO ONE CUP
The ground of the cup exteriors reserved with port scenes with fortifications, merchants and cargo, one with figures by a crucifix, within elongated shaped quatrefoil brown and gilt line cartouches edged with gilt scrolls and flowerheads, the white loop handles with gilt husks, the interiors with estuary scenes within double concentric iron-red circle cartouches, one saucer with a buildings and a church by a river, the other with cottages and figures crossing a small bridge, within similar circular cartouches, the undersides with coral red grounds, gilt line rims (saucers with areas of wear, cups with very slight wear to gilding and minute areas of wear to ground) (2)

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

For a full discussion of this rare ground colour, see Malcolm Gutter, 'Meissen Red Ground Wares', The Antique Collector February 1989, pp. 30-38, where he notes that there appear to be only five coffee, tea and or chocolate services, two travelling-cups, a pair of vases and two single vases manufactured with this ground colour. The present teacup and saucer is from a tea-service of which the teacaddy, the sugar-bowl and several teacups and saucers are known, see Mary Campbell Gristina, 'The Wark Collection Early Meissen Porcelain' The Cummer Gallery of Art Catalogue (1984), nos. 299-302 for three teacups and saucers and the teacaddy from the same service.

A cup and saucer from the same service was sold in these Rooms on 5th May 1970, lot 109; another on 26th October 1993, lot 409; another by Christie's Geneva on 13th May 1985, lot 140 and another by Sotheby's Zürich on 24th November 1992, lot 9.

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