- 8
A very large Meissen charger from the Sulkowski service, circa 1735-38
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Porcelain
- 46.5cm., 18 1/4 in. diam.
painted in the centre with the arms of Graf Alexander Joseph von Sulkowski and his wife Maria Anna Freiin von Stein zu Jettingen, supported by two lions and surmounted by a crown with elaborate mantling, the well painted with scattered indianische Blumen within a Sulkowski Ozier-moulded border, crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue, incised Dreher's mark for Meißner Senior to inside of footrim below incised numeral 6.,
Provenance
Graf Alexander Joseph von Sulkowski (1695-1762);
Thence by descent;
The Property of a Lady of Title, Sotheby's London, 23rd May, 1967, lot 30 sold among a large portion of the Sulkowski service (lots 29-50)
Thence by descent;
The Property of a Lady of Title, Sotheby's London, 23rd May, 1967, lot 30 sold among a large portion of the Sulkowski service (lots 29-50)
Condition
There is crack located at 6 o'clock on the face of the dish which extends vertically and measures approximately 54cm long. Along this crack at the rim there are two filled chips to both the front and back. From this crack four shorter cracks extend. To the reverse of the dish there is a fine web of glaze crazing. To the armorial there are two patches of re-gilding to the arms on the right with some scattered flaking to some of the gilding, and surface scratching to enamels.
"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
The Sulkowski service was the first significant armorial service to be ordered of the Meissen factory, pre-dating the well known Swan Service by several years.
Alexander Joseph Graf von Sulkowski (1695-1762) was part of a Polish Noble family and would become an influential minister during the reign of Augustus III. He began service in the Royal Court as a page and eventually was raised to a count in 1732. In 1735 he took command of the King's troops in Poland and in 1737. During his life time he married twice, firstly in 1728 to Baroness Maria Franziska von Stein zu Jettingen (1712-41) with whom he had seven children and whose arms also appear on the service.
Only twelve chargers of this size were produced, the specification of 8th February 1738 signed by J. G. Höroldt mentions '12 Weiße Schüßeln große Sorte Nr. 6', published by Hilde Rakebrand, Meissener Tafelgeschirre des 18. Jahrhunderts, 1958, p. 14. One charger of this size recently appeared on the market, from the collection of the late Siegfried and Lola Kramarsky, Christie's New York, 30th October, 1993, lot 34. A charger of the size below, with incised mark 'V', which also may have been sold in the Sotheby's 1967 sale, subsequently entered the Hoffmeister Collection and was sold at Bonham's London, 25th November 2009, lot 75. Only one example of a larger size is recorded, from the collection of Dr. Ernst Schneider, but supposedly later with an impressed numeral 21, and was exhibited and published in the catalogue by Dr. Rainer Rückert, 1966, p. 117, no. 490, Taf. 125.
Alexander Joseph Graf von Sulkowski (1695-1762) was part of a Polish Noble family and would become an influential minister during the reign of Augustus III. He began service in the Royal Court as a page and eventually was raised to a count in 1732. In 1735 he took command of the King's troops in Poland and in 1737. During his life time he married twice, firstly in 1728 to Baroness Maria Franziska von Stein zu Jettingen (1712-41) with whom he had seven children and whose arms also appear on the service.
Only twelve chargers of this size were produced, the specification of 8th February 1738 signed by J. G. Höroldt mentions '12 Weiße Schüßeln große Sorte Nr. 6', published by Hilde Rakebrand, Meissener Tafelgeschirre des 18. Jahrhunderts, 1958, p. 14. One charger of this size recently appeared on the market, from the collection of the late Siegfried and Lola Kramarsky, Christie's New York, 30th October, 1993, lot 34. A charger of the size below, with incised mark 'V', which also may have been sold in the Sotheby's 1967 sale, subsequently entered the Hoffmeister Collection and was sold at Bonham's London, 25th November 2009, lot 75. Only one example of a larger size is recorded, from the collection of Dr. Ernst Schneider, but supposedly later with an impressed numeral 21, and was exhibited and published in the catalogue by Dr. Rainer Rückert, 1966, p. 117, no. 490, Taf. 125.