A large pair of Dresden porcelain vases, covers and stands, (Schlangenvasen), manufactory of Carl Thieme, Potschappel, circa 1890

of moulded ovoid form picked out in salmon-pink and painted with vignettes of couples in landscapes and small scattered flower sprigs, each applied with a pair of gilded snake form handles, impressed numerals, L mark in blue enamel,  one base with Dresden mark in blue enamel,

Family von Posern, directly acquired in 1890 from the manufacturer Carl Thieme for the mirror room in Schloss Rammenau and thence by descent; confiscated during the so-called “Bodenreform” 1945-1949 by the authorities of the Soviet occupied territory in the later GDR  and recently restituted to the family

One stand has a small chip re-stuck on the top rim. The other stand has two chips to the rim and two firing flaws to the top edge. One vase has a hairline crack around the lower terminal of a handle. There are some scattered areas of wear to the gilding. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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."

The form of this vase with distinctive snake handles was designed by Ernst August Leuteritz at the Meissen factory in the mid-19th century. Leuteritz was born in 1818 near Meissen, and came to the factory as an apprentice in 1836. From 1849 he was the manager and top modeller at Meissen.