A set of twenty Empire ormolu and crystal table decorations circa 1816/20, attributed to Klinckerfuß and Münch

comprising a set of four étagère-tazze, with a moulded circular base on claw feet, decorated in relief with acanthus and anthemion, a set of five tazze on a scaled and acanthus baluster stem, a set of eight bowls with loose square ormolu base on claw feet, and two bowls on a loose high stand cast with acanthus and paterae, each with cut-crystal dishes or bowls, some items without crystal dishes or bowls; together with a relief cast small table bell  

Comparative literature

Wolfgang Wiese, Die Zeichenmappe des Ebenisten Johannes Klinckerfuss (1770-1831), Regensburg, 2013.

The gilt bronze is in good condition, although the glass seems to have different origins and there are several pieces missing: - The four etagere-tazze have their lower glass shelves missing and one of the top shelves is broken; - The eight square bases have three of their glass bowls missing and one of the bowls has a chip to edge; - The two acanthus bases have their glass bowls missing.
"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."

Although of different shape and decoration, the execution and gilding of the various models in this lot seem to be consistent and the decoration of the set of five tazze points out to an attribution to Johannes Klinckerfuss and Casimir Münch. The baluster stem is quite comparable to the ormolu shaft of two jardinières attributed to Klinkerfuss and Münch, sold at Sotheby's New York, 8 May 2009, lots 191 and 192 and to the shaft of a related pole screen by the same makers with original embroidery by Queen Charlotte Auguste Mathilde of Württemberg, daughter of King George III of England, wife of King Frederik of Württemberg, sold at Sotheby's Amsterdam, 30 October 2007, lot 401. Furthermore, the rather severe anthemion style decoration on the circular base seems to be directly derived from one of Klinckerfuss’s design drawings (Wiese, op.cit., ill.105, p.144). 

Johannes Klinckerfuss (1770-1831) was trained by his father Philipp Klinckerfuss and Hartmann Gürtler (1753-1812). In 1789 he joined the Roentgen manufactury to complete his training as ebeniste and menusier. David Roentgen intended to employ him as head of the projected St. Petersburg branch of his company but the beginning of the First War of Coalitions in 1792 put an end to this plan. A different challenge was found at the Court of Duchess Dorothee Sophie of Württemberg (1736-1798). Shortly after the Duchess had moved to Stuttgart, her husband Duke Friedrich Eugen succeeded to the throne in 1795 and he was appointed Kabinettebenist to the Court in 1799. He held this position until 1812, when he established his own manufactory, but continued to produce furniture for the Royal Court until his death in 1831.

Unfortunately, there is very little information on the work of Casimir Münch who held the position of Hofziseleur at the Court of Stuttgart and produced bronze work pieces in cooperation with Klinckerfuss. It is therefore very likely that the present table decorations were actually cast in Paris, where the production facilities were numerous and probably of much higher standard.