A porcelain story between Berlin and Vienna

On May 16, the Lempertz auction house will hold its traditional spring sale in Berlin. Although this year they focus on Prussian crafts, they are also putting up for sale several pieces from a private collection of Viennese porcelain. 

Spindler's Chest of Bayreuth, walnut, maple, and painted wood attributed to Johann Friedrich and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler, circa 1760, photo © Lempertz

Spindler’s Chest of Bayreuth, walnut, maple, and painted wood attributed to Johann Friedrich and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler, circa 1760.

The catalog includes 292 lots of antiques, handmade pieces and some works of art. Among the furnishings is a remarkable creation by the Spindler workshop in Bayreuth, a 1760 chest of drawers in walnut, maple, and painted wood, inlaid with floral motifs.

Cigar box in gold, Berlin, circa 1750, photo © Lempertz

Cigar box in gold, Berlin, circa 1750.

Also of note is this gilded cigar box made around 1750 with Rococo elements in an open-air architectural setting.

One of the best lots in the auction is this cup attributed to Karl-Friedrich Schinkel. It is made of Carrara marble, meticulously crafted with a translucent coating that allows the light that flows through it to emanate.

Karl-Friedrich Schinkel (attributido), Carrara marble cup, Northern Italy, circa: back of 1810, photo © Lempertz

Karl-Friedrich Schinkel (attributido), Carrara marble cup, Northern Italy, circa: back of 1810.

The catalog contains an exceptional collection of ceramics and porcelain from Berlin, from 18th-century terracottas to the coveted pieces from the Royal Porcelain Factory, founded by Frederick the Great in 1763.

Night lamp, porcelain, partly gilded, Berlin, KPM, circa 1810, photo © Lempertz

Night lamp, porcelain, partly gilded, Berlin, KPM, circa 1810.

After a rococo phase, the Berlin manufacturer reinvented classicism by creating objects inspired by pieces from antiquity, as shown by this bedside lamp made around 1810. Another surprising object signed by KPM Berlin (Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, the royal factory porcelain from Berlin) is this splendid porcelain vase depicting Empress Augusta under the Romano-German imperial crown (which was never actually used by the Hohenzollern emperors).

Vase with portrait of Empress Augusta, Berlin, KPM, 1871, photo © Lempertz

Vase with portrait of Empress Augusta, Berlin, KPM, 1871.

Characteristic of the influence of the Rococo style in the decorative arts of the 19th century, is this extraordinary chandelier decorated with flowers in gilt bronze and polychrome painting.

Porcelain and bronze candlestick.  Berlin, KPM, late 19th century, photo © Lempertz

Porcelain and bronze candlestick. Berlin, KPM, late 19th century.

KPM Berlin has witnessed many stylistic evolutions over the decades, reinventing its collections with each new trend. In the Art Nouveau era, ancient Egyptian motifs were particularly popular and have been recurring in crafts, as evidenced by this early 20th century piece.

Centerpiece with Egyptian female figures, Berlin, KPM, 1901, photo © Lempertz

Centerpiece with Egyptian female figures, Berlin, KPM, 1901.

Although the author of this pair of Chinese-decorated vases is unknown, their imposing size and superbly preserved lacquer decorations indicate a high-quality work by a master craftsman, probably as part of a special commission. At the time of its creation, which may date back to 1840, many works with similar decorations were made for Prussian royal palaces, such as Charlottenburg, Berlin Palace, and Sanssouci, which still has a green lacquer vase similar to these.

Monumental vases, terracotta, wooden base, 1840, photo © Lempertz

Monumental vases, terracotta, wooden base, 1840.

A wonderful selection of 63 pieces of Viennese porcelain from a private collection will be auctioned on May 16 at 11am. After MeiBen (Meissen), the cradle of European porcelain production since 1708, Vienna established itself as the second production center.

Breakfast set, Imperial Factory in Vienna, circa 1760-1770, photo © Lempertz

Breakfast set, Imperial Factory in Vienna, circa 1760-1770.

Fifty years after its founding in 1708, the Viennese manufacturer signed this precious breakfast set with lilac and gold trim, one of the key pieces in this private collection. Also noteworthy are this plate and cup, made at the height of classicism, five decades later. The two pieces were created under the direction of Matthias Niedermayer in 1818 and painted by Karl Herzer. The paintings depict views of the Vienna Cathedral and the city from the Belvedere Castle.

Left: decorated plate with views of the Cathedral of Santo Stefano in Vienna, imperial manufactory under Matthias Niedermayer, 1816 / Right: cup and saucer with views of Vienna, imperial manufactory under Matthias Niedermayer, 1818, photo © Lempertz

Left: decorated plate with views of the Cathedral of Santo Stefano in Vienna, imperial manufactory under Matthias Niedermayer, 1816 / Right: cup and saucer with views of Vienna, imperial manufactory under Matthias Niedermayer, 1818.

We conclude with this important photographic plate from the early 19th century, illustrating the mythological scene of Zeus and Hera on Mount Ida.

photographic plate

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