A Pair Of Meissen Porcelain Pot-Pourri Vases and Covers On Stands

Object Description

A Pair Of Large Meissen Porcelain Flower-Encrusted Pot-Pourri Vases and Covers On Stands.

Each finial formed as a large bouquet applied with butterflies and insects, above a gilt enriched, pale turquoise and pink pierced rocaille-moulded domed cover. The vase bodies of inverted pear-shape and finely painted to the fronts with a scène galante after Watteau. The vignettes of a male figure and two female companions playing music in a landscape vista. The reverse painted with a lush bouquet of deutsche Blumen. The body of the vases encircled by an elaborate flower and fruit garland held by cupids. The surround extending to form vine handles. Each on a pale turquoise and pink pierced rocaille-moulded socle, one with a seated putto and the other with Venus holding flower filled-baskets. Each on conforming rocaille-moulded stand.

Blue Crossed Swords Marks. Incised ‘B6’ and impressed ‘54’.

Germany, circa 1860.

Object History

These magnificent Meissen porcelain vases entitled ‘Potpourri mit Amoretten’ (Pot-Pourri with cupids) were conceived by the factory’s chief modeller Johann Joachim Kändler (1706-1775). These vases are much enlarged versions of model number 2745 first recorded in 1760 when multiple variations were made.

The present pair were made at the Meissen factory to Kändler’s models and date to the second half of the nineteenth century when there was a great revival of Kändler rococo figurines which were reissued and a “Second Rococo”.

These nineteenth century vases are unusually large. The sumptuous exuberance of the flower-encrusted detail is most magnificent. A very similar vase was shown at the 1862 International Exhibition in London and is illustrated in J. B. Waring, Masterpieces of Industrial Art & Sculpture at the International Exhibition, London 1862, pl.250.

Object Details