A rare Meissen tureen from the Swan Service circa 1742

modelled by Johann Gottlieb Ehder, of quatrelobe form raised on four dolphin feet, the shell-moulded ground with a cartouche on either side painted with the marriage arms of Brühl-Kolowrat-Krakowsky, sprigs of indianische Blumen to the rim, applied with later gilt-metal lion mask handles

The form is mentioned by Ehder in his work reports of November, 1742: 1 große Terrine für Ihro H.R. Gn/ Exc. des Herrn Grafen von Brühl mit Muschelwerk verzieret wie auch Schildern, ingleichen nebst Füßen, so Delphine vorstellen nur auf der Stürze eine Nymphe zu befinden, neu bossiert" (quoted by U. Pietsch, Schwanenservice Meissener Porzellan für Heinrich Graf von Brühl, p.152. Another example of this form with its cover survives in the Dresden porcelain collection, on loan from the Brühl family, for which see Pietsch, op.cit., no.18, and p.151 for a photograph of the matching stand.