A monumental and rare KPM punch bowl, cover, stand and ladle circa 1893

modelled by Paul Schley, painted on either side with a fruit arrangement within a rocaille-molded cartouche, 

In good condition apart from: Cover: There is restoration to the standing putto's neck and cheeks, possibly covering a break or a haircrack. There is minor and occasional restoration to the tips of leaves, possibly covering small chips. Tureen: Some very minor and occasional rubbing to the gilding, along the edges. The right arm and hand of one of the female figures are restored. There are very minor and occasional restored chips to the edges of the leaves above the base on either side. The lower edge of the leopard cloak below one female figure's foot, near the scrolled base of the tureen is restored. Stand: Some minor and occasional rubbing to the gilding. There is a minuscule chip to the tip of the scroll element on either side of the stand, which are hard to see. Ladle: the porcelain handle is restored along the midpoint, possibly covering a haricrack or a break. Please note that all restorations are very 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.

A similar punch bowl, stand, cover and ladle, painted by Paul Miethe and dated 1893, is illustrated in Franca Dietz, Die Sammlung Hassan Sabbet, Blühende Zeit der KPM, pp. 396-398, cat. no. G 3., where the author mentions and illustrates the preliminary design for a punch bowl by Alexander Kipps in 1891. The author also states that it is possible that Kipps and Schley collaborated on modelling the punch bowl given the similarity of their styles incorporating Rococo elements.
With its monumental size and sculptural quality, this punch bowl would probably have been intended as an exhibition piece. Indeed Dietz illustrates an image of a similar punch bowl on exhibit in the Berlin Industrial Exhibition in 1896, ibid., p. 50, fig. 12. Another similar punch bowl is also illustrated in an 1893 photograph of the KPM saleroom on Leipzig street in Berlin, ibid, p. 46, fig. 3.