A Meissen Böttger polished stoneware octagonal sugar box and cover, circa 1710-15

the polished exterior picked out with gilding and gilt lappet borders at the rim of the cover and foot of the box, cover repaired,

Comparative Literature
Verlassenschaft des Prinzen Carl Ludwig von Baden-Durlach, 1805-09, General Landesarchiv Karlsruhe Familienarchiv 6 Person 12 II

To the cover a section of the rim has been broken and repaired, with associated areas of over-painting to both side. To the box there is a flat chip to the underside edge of the foot, measuring approximately 0.4cm. wide. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This sugar box and cover can be compared to a group of polished Böttger stoneware tea wares, with identical gilt borders, from the collection of the Dukes of Baden, which was sold by Sotheby's at Baden-Baden, 18th October 1995, lots 1251-1258. The group consisted of two teapots and covers, four tea bowls and covers and a sugar box and cover (lot 1258), of identical form to the present example.

The 18th century inventory of the Margravine Caroline Luise of Baden's collection, which was reproduced after her death lists three such sugar boxes which were displayed in the Naturalia Cabinet in the Karlsruhe Residence: Fein irdenes Geschirr, S.102, Nr.597: Eine Garnitur von feiner brauner Erde, glasirt mit Vergoldung, bestehend in:... 3 achtekichten Zukerbüchsen mit Dekel... [ 1 garniture of fine brown clay, glazed with gilding, consisting of:... three sugar boxes and covers...].

A teabowl and saucer from the service is in the Arnhold Collection, New York, published by Maureen Cassidy-Geiger, The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain 1710-50, 2008, no. 63. A polished sugar box and cover without gilt decoration, from the Arthur and Hilde Weiner Collection is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, museum no. C.27:1, 2-2006.