Object Description
This is a wonderful large pair of antique Royal Vienna Austrian double handled porcelain vases on stands bearing the signature of the artist, and dating from the second half of the 19th Century.
Each with superb quality hand painted mythological scenes on burgundy red ground with gilded foliate leaf and beaded decoration. They each bear the Royal Vienna beehive mark to the underside.
Both vases enamelled after Angelica Kaufmann, one with the title ‘Amors Zeitvertreib’ Sei wied gut, ( Cupid’s pastime. Be good again ), the other “Cupido u Cephisa”. Solt ich, ( Cupid and Cephisa. Should I ).
Beautifully made in porcelain and hand enamelled with superb gilded decoration there is no mistaking the unique quality and design, which is sure to make this pair a treasured piece for any discerning collector.
Condition:
In excellent condition, with no damage or repairs, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 76 cm x Width 27 cm x Depth 27 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 6 inches x Width 11 inches x Depth 11 inches
Royal Vienna is the generic name given to items made in a particular decorative style reminiscent of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. Strong elements of Greek Classicism are almost always present and the colour palette seems to be dominated by soft hues and romantic vibrancy. Gilding and elaborate border designs, and sometimes even Ormolu or Metal Mounts, were frequent decorative details that enhanced the superb painting and colours on Royal Vienna antiques. Almost all Royal Vienna porcelain was meant primarily for display and adoration, with the notable exception of some super-fine chinaware, that most likely is used quite rarely and on very auspicious occasions.
Royal Vienna appears mostly in the form of Porcelain such as Portrait plates, Urns &Vases, and elegant Chinaware. Most bear a likeness of what is widely referred to in English-speaking countries as the beehive mark, which is actually an upside-down representation of the original bindenschild or Royal Shield found in the centre of the Royal Crest of the Hapsburg [or Habsburg] Royal Family of 18thC Vienna, Austria.
The Hapsburg Royal Family mentored the Imperial & Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Vienna that lasted between 1718 to 1864. They produced exceptional porcelain second to none and equivalent in quality and artistic craftsmanship to their major contemporary competition such as Meissen and Sevres. Original and authentic Royal Vienna porcelain from the Hapsburg era are now found only in major Museums and very fine private collections. The vast majority of items we now call Royal Vienna were made ca early 19thC onwards by many companies around the world.
The original and authentic Imperial & Royal Vienna “beehive mark” on porcelain is never symmetrical and always underglaze in blue or impressed, with very few exceptions. However, the most common beehive mark used on items in the same style, but made ca 19thC onwards.
The vast majority and most desired Royal Vienna porcelain items are those made around 1870s to 1930s. This period witnessed the peak of their production by hundreds of companies & porcelain studios.
Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 – 1807)
was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as “Kauffmann”, Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.
While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.
Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.
The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).
Our reference: A3640