- 15
A Chinese export armorial sugar bowl and cover with the Royal coat-of-arms of Prussia Qing dynasty, circa 1755
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description
- porcelain
- 12 cm hoch, Durchmesser 14,3 cm
painted around the bowl and cover with the monogrammed eagle of Frederick II (The Great), King of Prussia, between gilded floral sprays, the rim of both encircled with a gilt band
Condition
The bowl and cover are in good condition with the exception of a7mm., wide shallow chip to one handle on the bowl, two tiny frits to the other handle, a 4mm., very shallow flake to the outer edge of the rim, extensive fritting to the kop of the cover, minor wear to the gilded decoration on both and minor glaze firing imperfections to both..
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Comparative Literature Beurdeley, Porcelain of the East India Companies, 1962, p. 195, cat. 195;
C. Le Corbeiller, China Trade Porcelain: Patterns of Exchange, 1974, pp. 80-83;
Hervouët and Bruneau, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes à Décor Occidental, Paris, 1986, fig. 14.32, p. 334;
Victoria and Albert Museum, Chinese Export Art and Design, London, 1987, no. 46;
R. Krahl and J. Harrison-Hall, Ancient Chinese Trade Ceramics, Taibei, 1994, no. 124, pp. 278-279; Kerr and Mengoni, Chinese Export Ceramics, London 2011, pp. 54f;
Butz (Ed.), China und Preußen - Porzellan und Tee, Exhibition catalogue, Berlin 2012, pp. 14-17.
This sugar bowl and cover is believed to belong to the celebrated export dinner service ordered by the Prussian East India Company as a gift for King Frederick II, who founded the Company in 1750. Frederick II had recently established trade links with China through the port town of Canton and in 1755, one of the four ships sailing for the Company, the 'Prince of Prussia', was taking some of this service from China to Emden when it ran aground on the East Friesan island of Borkum. The precious cargo was salvaged, taken to Emden and the surviving pieces were sold at auction in 1764.
About 153 pieces from this service were acquired in the late 19th century by the Hohenzollernmuseum. Similar examples to the present lot can be found in other notable museums across the world including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels. Other pieces from this service are in the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin, Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin, Kunstgewerbemusem, Berlin, Huis Doorn, Doorn, The Netherlands, and in the Hodroff Collection, amongst others.
C. Le Corbeiller, China Trade Porcelain: Patterns of Exchange, 1974, pp. 80-83;
Hervouët and Bruneau, La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes à Décor Occidental, Paris, 1986, fig. 14.32, p. 334;
Victoria and Albert Museum, Chinese Export Art and Design, London, 1987, no. 46;
R. Krahl and J. Harrison-Hall, Ancient Chinese Trade Ceramics, Taibei, 1994, no. 124, pp. 278-279; Kerr and Mengoni, Chinese Export Ceramics, London 2011, pp. 54f;
Butz (Ed.), China und Preußen - Porzellan und Tee, Exhibition catalogue, Berlin 2012, pp. 14-17.
This sugar bowl and cover is believed to belong to the celebrated export dinner service ordered by the Prussian East India Company as a gift for King Frederick II, who founded the Company in 1750. Frederick II had recently established trade links with China through the port town of Canton and in 1755, one of the four ships sailing for the Company, the 'Prince of Prussia', was taking some of this service from China to Emden when it ran aground on the East Friesan island of Borkum. The precious cargo was salvaged, taken to Emden and the surviving pieces were sold at auction in 1764.
About 153 pieces from this service were acquired in the late 19th century by the Hohenzollernmuseum. Similar examples to the present lot can be found in other notable museums across the world including the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels. Other pieces from this service are in the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin, Schloss Charlottenburg, Berlin, Kunstgewerbemusem, Berlin, Huis Doorn, Doorn, The Netherlands, and in the Hodroff Collection, amongst others.