Auction announcements
03th Dec 2014Lot 86 Meissen The group was made c 1880 and of excellent quality.

Porcelain with white glaze, polychrome paint and golden accents
Germany, 19th century
Meissen porcelain factory, established in 1710
Designed by Johann Joachim Kändler in 1743, model number 507
Underglaze blue crossed swords mark, blue point, incised model number ‘507’, impressed number ‘148’ and black number ’34.’ (over glaze)
Porcelain group under an oak tree mounted on a naturalistic base
August the Strong with removed tricorn and purple frock offers a confect tin to the seated Countess Cosel, holding her left glove in her right hand
Size: circa 29 x 27 x 18 cm
Very good restored condition, first choice
Incredibly fine and vivid Meissen porcelain group in the usual excellent quality

The present Meissen porcelain figural group was produced in the 19th century based on a model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775), one of the most important modelers of the Meissen porcelain factory. August the Strong and his mistress Countess Cosel are depicted under an oak tree with lush foliage. Friedrich August I of Saxony has removed his tricorn and bents over to the Countess in order to offer her a confect tin. The Countess is dressed with an elegant hunting costume and a tricorn. She has stripped off one glove to grab the confect. This charming piece is of the finest, detailed and vivid accomplishment and unique in its quality.

The porcelain group is marked with the underglaze blue crossed swords mark, a blue point, the incised model number ‘507’, the impressed number ‘148’ and the black number ’34.’ (over glaze).

It is of first choice and in very good restored condition with a minor loss affecting a leaf to the base. The dimensions are approximately 29 x 27 x 18 cm.

Meissen

Porcelain has been known in Europe since the 13th Century, but always had to be imported from China. Thus it was mostly of lower quality – the Chinese rarely gave their best ware to the foreigners – and extremely expensive. Europeans tried to copy Chinese the Chinese porcelain for centuries but only in 1708 managed to create real porcelain – in Meissen. The manufacturer’s brand, the crossed swords in blue, has been in use since 1722 and is still a guarantee for the high quality of the porcelain. Meissen celebrated its 300 years of existence in 2008. Quality has always been the number one criteria for Meissen and they go as far as having their own mine to win the needed kaolin, also known as china clay, for the production. It takes several years to reach the degree of a “master painter” in Meissen but judging by the quality of the painting, it is definitely worth it.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.