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Curiosity has brought the pieces on the following pages together. The collection includes important early pieces such as the Augustus Rex vase (lot 20, which is one of three and more complete than the example in the Zwinger in Dresden), and impressive pieces from important services, such as the Swan Service (lots 79 and 80) and the Christie Miller Service (lots 87 and 88). But the fascinating group of pieces which were decorated outside the factories by independent painters is equally impressive. This also includes intriguing conundrums, such as the libation cup (lot 12) or the extraordinary sugar-box (lot 149). Although there are grand and impressive pieces, it is not a group of 'safe' pieces amassed for show; it is the accumulation of passionate investigation that has evolved over a long period of time, growing like a coral reef, successive decades enriching it. Perhaps the most notable aspect of this group is how they reflect the transmission of ideas. This is particularly evident in the designs that were spawned as a result of improved trade networks with the Far East. Some are literal copies of Oriental originals (see, for example, lot 65, which is sold with a Japanese prototype), but most are fusions or interpretations, creating something new. When the du Paquier dish from the Bavarian Court Service (lot 159) was made, even the idea of a large porcelain service was incredibly new. Porcelain itself was very new to Europe in the early 18th century, and until Böttger's discoveries, 'true' porcelain from the Far East was a completely mysterious substance to Europeans, conjuring up intoxicatingly exotic fantasies in their minds, as captured in the painting below. This echoes the house which has been home to Dr Byrnes's collection for more than forty years, as his porcelain treasures were shared with parrots, squawking and talking from their various perches around the house. He created, perhaps unwittingly, a magical and whimsical world. D.S. SOME REMARKS FROM THE COLLECTOR Collecting 18th century Meissen and du Paquier porcelain is a psychiatric compulsive disorder. Every collector has his individual explanation of the cause but, for me, it was Medicine. I spent 50 years as a diagnostic Pathologist, analyzing tumor cells in order to assess if benign or malignant - to determine clues for predicting biological behavior. Over time I found that the evaluation of 18th century porcelain mimics my work as a diagnostic histopathologist. Let me tell you how. As a young physician, I was taught that, when a patient presents with a complex skein of signs and symptoms, arriving at the correct medical diagnosis is a fairly structured ritual. One begins with an instant list of all possible conditions which may exist, however remote. Then one proceeds down this list using various factors in the case to emphasize or eliminate particular conditions. The list becomes much shorter. Then a new list of criteria is applied so that, eventually only one (or, rarely two or three) of the original list has survived. And this is the diagnosis. In my experience, the evaluation of 18th century porcelain follows a parallel process. As a collector of these lovely objects, I aim to help them to tell their story; to speak out what they are, when they were made and what they are saying. In addition, there is the adventure of collecting 18th century porcelain - the primeval sensation of pursuit and eventual capture of the prize. In this quest I have been encouraged and inspired by a host of members of the porcelain community. I admire and thank them all - most particularly I'm grateful to Henry Arnhold, Karlie Bernstein, Maureen Geiger, Malcolm Gutter, Kathy Gillmeister, Errol Manners, Georges Segal and Robert Williams. It was Bob who showed me the unique beauties of hausemalerei and introduced me to du Paquier. Additionally, it sure helped to have had a kind and indulgent wife and family. I feel it is time to release these treasured friends so that they may illuminate the lives of others. How appropriate that 2010 is the 300th anniversary of the 1710 proclamation of the foundation of the Meissen factory by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony. Roy L Byrnes, M.D. A number of these pieces were formerly in the Kathy Gillmeister Collection, California, and were exhibited in the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, 3rd November 1984 - 31st December 1985. The Gillmeister Collection numbers listed in provenance correspond to the Exhibition Catalogue by K. Gillmeister and L. Camins, The Kathy Gillmeister Collection, Meissen Porcelain (Van Nuys, 1984).

A BÖTTGER BLACK-GLAZED RED STONEWARE TEABOWL AND A SAUCER

CIRCA 1710-13

Details

A BÖTTGER BLACK-GLAZED RED STONEWARE TEABOWL AND A SAUCER
CIRCA 1710-13
The flared teabowl interior and exterior glazed, the exterior gilt with a bird on a flowering branch and another flowering branch between double gilt line borders, the interior with a similar border, the saucer obverse glazed and with a similar border, the border of the reverse glazed and gilt with two branches of trailing vine between similar borders (saucer with small restored rim chips and minute chip to underside of rim) (2)

Provenance

Kathy Gillmeister Collection, California, No. G2

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.

Brought to you by

Dominic Simpson

dsimpson@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3026

Lot Essay

For a discussion of Martin Schnell and the attribution of pieces to him, see Monika Kopplin et al., Schwartz Porcelain, Museum für Lackkunst and Schloss Favorite bei Rastatt 2003-2004 Exhibition Catalogue (Munich, 2003), pp. 171-193; and for a pair of teabowls and saucers with related decoration, see p. 164, Nos. 74a-d. A teabowl and saucer similar to the present teabowl from the Anderson Collection was sold in these Rooms on 1 June 1992, lot 3. Other teabowls and saucers from the Markgrafen und Grossherzöge von Baden Collection were sold by Sotheby's, Schloß sale, 7th October 1995, lots 1266, 1267, 1269 and a teabowl, lot 1270, which was sold again by Lempertz, Cologne, on 16th May 2002, lot 38.

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