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Lot Essay
A decorated version of this model was sold by Christie's Geneva, 13th November 1989, lot 159.
The Swan Service was perhaps the most extensive porcelain table service created in the 18th century, originally comprising over two thousand pieces. Ordered by the Director of the Meissen factory, Graf Heinrich von Brühl in celebration of his marriage to Maria Anna Franziska von Kolowrat-Krakowska, it remained in the hands of the family until a gradual dispersal began in the late 19th century.
The highly original sculpted forms featured swans, shells, and other marine creatures, both real and imaginary. The strong, white, sculptural effect of the porcelain was given full play, with a minimum of additional decoration, basically consisting of gilt and coloured borders and making much of the couple's conjoined coat-of-arms. Examples of the period that remain undecorated were made with the intention of adding them to the service, but for one reason or another this seems not to have happened. Candlesticks are comparatively rare forms.
For a detailed analysis of the service, see Dr. Ulrich Pietsch, exhibition catalogue, 'Schwanenservice, Meissener Porzellan für Heinrich Graf von Brühl' Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden exhibition catalogue, 6th May - 13th August 2000.
The Swan Service was perhaps the most extensive porcelain table service created in the 18th century, originally comprising over two thousand pieces. Ordered by the Director of the Meissen factory, Graf Heinrich von Brühl in celebration of his marriage to Maria Anna Franziska von Kolowrat-Krakowska, it remained in the hands of the family until a gradual dispersal began in the late 19th century.
The highly original sculpted forms featured swans, shells, and other marine creatures, both real and imaginary. The strong, white, sculptural effect of the porcelain was given full play, with a minimum of additional decoration, basically consisting of gilt and coloured borders and making much of the couple's conjoined coat-of-arms. Examples of the period that remain undecorated were made with the intention of adding them to the service, but for one reason or another this seems not to have happened. Candlesticks are comparatively rare forms.
For a detailed analysis of the service, see Dr. Ulrich Pietsch, exhibition catalogue, 'Schwanenservice, Meissener Porzellan für Heinrich Graf von Brühl' Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden exhibition catalogue, 6th May - 13th August 2000.