1737-41, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARK, PRESSNUMMER 23 (?)

Details

A MEISSEN OVAL TWO-HANDLED MONTEITH FROM THE SWAN SERVICE
1737-41, BLUE CROSSED SWORDS MARK, PRESSNUMMER 23 (?)
Modelled by Johann Friedrich Eberlein, the exterior moulded to simulate a shell, each side with a central escutcheon bearing the Brühl coat of arms, flanked by pendant swags of shells, crayfish, flowers and fruit, the ends with up-turned reeds supporting the nereid handles, the naked nereids with long hair and bifurcated tails and holding garlands of flowers, the rim moulded with cascading water and large gilt shells (broken through, restored and lacquered, slight wear to gilding, slight chipping to flowers)
8 in. (20.4 cm.) high; 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm.) wide

Provenance

Heinrich Count Brühl, Schloss Pförten.
Schloss Ahlden sale, 26th April - 3rd May 1997, lot 173.

Literature

Cf. W. Fellmann et al., 'Schwanen service, Meissener Porzellan für Heinrich Graf von Brühl' Dresdener Schloss Exhibition Catalogue (2000), where it is mentioned on p. 169, along with other known examples.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The Swan service was commissioned by Count Brühl (1700-1763), the director of the Meissen factory from 1733-63, in 1737 on the occasion of his marriage to Maria Anna Franziska von Kolowrat-Krakowska. The moulded decoration was carried out by J.J. Kändler with the assistance of J.F. Eberlein.

The service, which appears to be the largest service produced in the 18th century, is discussed extensively by Fellmann et al., ibid. The service remained in the possession of the family until after the Second World War. A monteith was sold by Sotheby's London on 15th November 1955, lot 69, another on 28th November 1961, lot 152, and another on 22nd February 1966, lot 80.

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