A pair of Meissen armorial reticulated tureens and covers last quarter 19th century

after an eighteenth century model by Johann Joachim Kändler, each double-walled tureen richly gilt on the interior and applied on the exterior with putti and garlands, painted on either side with a topographical panel and affixed on either end with a female bust handle, the cover molded and painted with Kakiemon flowers on the underside and on either side of the coronet knop with the arms of Poland and Saxony, crossed swords marks in underglaze-blue, incised B 136, impressed numerals 148 or 131.

Covers: The cross atop the knob of one of the covers has been off and very well restored back. Tureens: There are minor occasional restored chips to the edges of the feathered headdresses of the female bust handles.There are some very minor occasional chips to the applied floral swags and a small portion of one has been chipped off and glued back into place; all the restoration is very minor and extremely well done.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present tureen and cover exhibit various distinctive characteristics evident in 18th-century princely services made by the Meissen manufactory during the reign of Augustus III. The tureen and cover from the 'Elizabeth' service is similarly set on four scroll feet, applied with female bust handles and painted on either side with a scroll-edged cartouche depicting a topographical scene (see Ulrich Pietsch and Claudia Banz in Triumph of the Blue Swords, Meissen Porcelain for Aristocracy and Bourgeoisie, 1710-1815, p. 135). Additionally, the crown knop on the present example parallels the knops of covers on tureens in diplomatic services commissioned by Augustus III, such as the 'Münchhausen' service (illustrated ibid, p. 291), the 'Bernstorff' service (illustrated by Maureen Cassidy-Geiger in Fragile Diplomacy, p. 185, fig. 8-20) and the service made for the king of Denmark, Frederik V (illustrated ibid, p. 186, fig. 8-21).

A tureen and cover similar to the present example is illustrated by Laurence Mitchell in Meissen, Collector's Catalogue, p. 139, cat. no. B136, where the author refers to this model being after Johann Joachim Kändler. A pair of similar tureens and covers were sold at Sotheby's, London, December 2, 2008, lot  285. Another single was example was sold at Bonham's, Los Angeles, June 14, 2011, lot 4548.