A pair of Italian carved alabaster vases circa 1845

A gift from the Margraves Wilhelm and Maximilian of Baden to his brother the Grand Duke Leopold of Baden;
Neues Schloss, Baden-Baden;
Sotheby's Zurich, Feine Keramik, Möbel und Zierstücke, 5th June 1996, lot 368.

Georg Heinrich Krieg von Hochfelden, Die Schlösser zu Baden, ehemals und jetzt, Karlsruhe 1851, S.140f. (ill);
Landesarchivmuseum Baden-Württemberg, Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe 56/40/3, 56/4074.

In overall good restored condition and ready to place. The lid of one with a repaired breaks to the neck, lion mask spout and rim. The other lid also with repaired break to rim. Evidence that plinth bases and bodies of the cups have been strengthened with glues and plaster to the inside - along joins and weaknesses in veined alabaster. Generally with small chips and loses to carved detailed - notably to wings and ears of griffin and dragons - entirely consistent with age and use. Highly decorative.
"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."

The present vases were once in the Neues Schloss in Baden-Baden, thoroughly refurbished between 1843 and 1847 by Grand Duke Leopold of Baden (1790-1852). The architect in charge was Friedrich Theodor Fischer (1803-1867), who was asked to be inspired by the late 16^th century period, which marked the glory days of the Baden dynasty. Von Hochfelden’s historical account of 1851 explains the photograph of the vestibule (fig.1) of the main floor as follows: “Opposite the stairs, the vestibule opens with three richly ornamented arcades. The arches are draped with richly fringed crimson rugs in the manner of the so called portière, featuring a small woven coat of arms of the House of Baden in gold. In front of the central pillars, placed on marbled pedestals, two monumental alabaster vases can be found, which were a gift of the margraves William and Maximilian of Baden, (the brothers of the grand duke (transl.)”.

In the inventory of 1847, the vases are listed as “two high urns of antique Greek shape, of reddish alabaster, with rich sculptural decoration (private property of HRH the Grand Duke) (transl.)”; in the inventory of 1863, the colour had been corrected to “marbled in yellow and grey”. The mentioned ‘antique Greek shape’ refers to ornamental classical Roman motifs, well-known then through coeval printed sources and seen both in the urns and in the interior decoration of Neues Schloss.