The Robert Compton Jones Collection

THE ROBERT COMPTON

JONES COLLECTION

Primarily known as a dealer in Old Master paintings, Robert Compton Jones had a passionate interest in the material culture of the 17th and 18th century and his personal collection reflected the intersection of all the arts, from furniture to porcelain and pottery as well as paintings and prints.

Robert was a frequent exhibitor at international venues, along with his wife and business partner Judy under their business Woollahra Trading, including the Paris Biennale and the Olympia Antique Fair in London. Together Robert and Judy made donations to institutions such as the 15th century Trajan and the Widow panel to the National Gallery of Victoria, and in 2010 Robert gifted an 18th century majolica pharmacy jar in memory of Judy to the same institution. During his career he sold important items to collections around the world such as a Mennecy biscuit porcelain plaque of King Louis XV to the British Museum in 1999; a pair of Sèvres vases to the Chateau de Versailles in 2003; the painting St Francis of Assisi adoring the Crucifix by Bernardo Strozzi to the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 2001; and a pair of Vienna flacons by du Paquier decorated with the profiles of Emperor Charles VI and Empress Elisabeth Christine which were sold to the Musee de Sèvres in 2000. Robert also exhibited locally in Sydney at the Lindesay Antique Dealers’ Fair where he encouraged English dealers to participate and enrich the local market. He was known to hold exhibitions in his own home in Woollahra and many locals have fond memories of visiting his collection.

As a dual-citizen Jones spent his life between the United Kingdom and Australia, travelling constantly and finding hidden treasures in auction houses across the globe. After retirement he took great pleasure in those pieces he had kept for his own personal collection which included the furniture, decorative arts and porcelain in the present auction. The collection includes some of the most important pieces of 18th century European porcelain to ever come to auction in Australia. These include the rare Sèvres reticulated vase ‘Vase Cornet’ (lot 82) the pair to which is in the collection of the Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey, UK; a pair of Höchst figures of Pantaloone and Pantalone (lot 66); a pair of Meissen yellow ground plates from the “Yellow Hunting” service (lot 65); a Nymphenburg charger from the Imperial Hofservice (lot 57); and a Meissen beaker and saucer from a rare, early service (lot 64). The rarity and quality of these porcelain pieces, alongside charming painted furniture present a wonderful and unique opportunity to bid on and acquire pieces that rarely appear on the Australian auction market.

Madeleine Norton | Associate Head of Decorative Arts & Art, Sydney

1

A LOUIS XV CARVED AND GILTWOOD MIRROR

The original plate in a moulded frame with C-scroll and rocaille cresting, decorated in original cream and gilt.

Height 120cm, Width 62cm $2,000-3,000

2

A LOUIS XV GILTWOOD CONSOLE TABLE

In the manner of Nicolas Pineau, the shaped green marble top above a carved frieze centred by a foliate drop within C-curved scrolls and scrolling acanthus and flowers, the vigorously carved scrolling cabriole legs terminating in foliate scroll toes and united by a rocaille stretcher.

Height 95cm, Width 165cm, Depth 67cm $5,000-8,000

The moulded cartouche shaped back with flower head cresting above a pair of outswept scrolled arms and padded seat on cabriole legs with scroll toes and carved apron, upholstered in blue and silver flower sprigged brocade.

The moulded cartouche shaped back with flower head cresting above a pair of outswept scrolled arms and padded seat on cabriole legs with foliate and cabochon carved toes and flower carved apron, upholstered in blue and silver flower sprigged brocade.

The reversible leather lined top with ormolu gallery and baize underside opening to reveal an ebony and inlaid bone backgammon board, above two end drawers on ormolu mounted cabriole legs inlaid throughout with flower sprays and foliate decoration on quarter veneers.

Height 78cm, Width 81cm, Depth 58cm

3

A LOUIS XV BEECHWOOD FAUTEUIL A LA REINE BY NICOLAS BLANCHARD

Nicolas Blanchard, maître en 1738. $3,000-5,000

4

A LOUIS XV BEECHWOOD FAUTEUIL A LA REINE BY JEAN-BAPTISTE GOURDIN

Jean-Baptiste Gourdin, maître en 1748. $3,000-5,000

5

A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD, TULIPWOOD AND MARQUETRY WRITING/TRIC-TRAC TABLE

$8,000-10,000

The carved and moulded frame with flowerhead cresting, padded armrests and seat above a shaped apron centred with flower heads on cabriole legs.

Width 155cm

$3,000-5,000

The shaped breccia marble top above two long drawers inlaid ‘sans traverse’ with a spray of roses in marquetry framed by ormolu mounts on cabriole legs with foliate and cabochon ormolu chutes and sabots.

Height 84cm, Width 112cm, Depth 51cm $5,000-8,000

Having a pierced brass three quarter gallery above white marble top, having two frieze drawers and two slides on tapering fluted legs with castors. Height 72cm, Diameter 66cm $1,500-2,000

A LOUIS XV FRUITWOOD CANAPE EN CORBEILLE

A LOUIS XV KINGWOOD AND TULIPWOOD MARQUETRY BOMBE COMMODE

A LOUIS XVI BRASS MOUNTED MAHOGANY BOUILLOTTE TABLE

A CHARLES II CARVED AND GILTWOOD LOOKING GLASS

The

$1,000-1,500

A GEORGE II SOLID MAHOGANY OPEN ARMCHAIR

$2,000-4,000

A

$500-800

mottled plate in a frame composed of scrolls. Height 61cm, Width 51cm

The swept top rail above a pierced vase-shaped splat flanked by scrolled and shaped arms, the needlework drop-in seat on square chamfered legs joined by an H-stretcher.

PAIR OF BRASS TABLE LAMPS

In the form of half reeded urns on black slate bases. Height 38cm (not including shades)

A GEORGE II WALNUT WING ARMCHAIR

Upholstered in needlework tapestry fabric, on cabriole front legs terminating in pad feet.

Height 109cm, Width 85cm, Depth 65cm $3,000-5,000

13

A GEORGE III HAREWOOD, SYCAMORE, BURR YEW AND MARQUETRY PEMBROKE TABLE

Possibly by Ince and Mayhew, the rectangular twinflap top inlaid with a burr yew central oval within a pearled border and garland, the flaps and real and false end drawers with yew ovals and pearled swags, the drawer fitted with leather lined writing surface and a pen tray, on square tapering legs with brass castors.

Height 72.5cm, Width 80cm (extended), Depth 61cm

OTHER NOTES:

Its yew veneer, as well as its Etruscan pearl-strings and sycamore border were ornaments particularly favoured in the 1770s by the Soho cabinet-makers Messrs Mayhew and Ince (L.Wood, Catalogue of Commodes: The Lady Lever Art Gallery, London, 1994, no. 27).

Two similar tables were sold at Christie’s New York, Important English Furniture, 25 April 2008, lot 68. $6,000-8,000

14

A SCOTTISH GEORGE III ELBOW CHAIR

The shaped top rail with a vase shaped pierced splat carved with thistles, the dished padded seat on rounded rectangular legs joined by an H-stretcher. $800-1,200

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY STOOL

The shaped panel seat crossbanded in kingwood on shaped and arched supports joined by turned stretchers.

Height 47cm, Width 56cm, Depth 41cm

OTHER NOTES:

This stool is similar in design to that of a hall stool designed by Thomas Chippendale for Christ Church College, Oxford, in 1764 for use in their library. It became a popular design with other versions known by Ince & Mayhew in 1762 and by Robert Manwaring in 1765.

$1,000-1,500

16

A GEORGE III OAK TRIPOD TABLE

The circular tilt-top on turned baluster pedestal and three swept feet.

Height 72cm, Diameter 74cm

$500-800

17

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY AND INLAID TOILET MIRROR

The oval plate in shaped strut support on a rectangular base with three drawers and flanked by rosewood and lattice inlaid panels on brass claw and ball feet.

Height 68cm, Width 53cm, Depth 26cm

$500-800

18

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TUB CHAIR

The fluted armrest supports above square tapering legs with patera headers and porcelain castors, upholstered in green textured velvet.

Height 93cm

$2,000-4,000

19

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY AND BOXWOOD INLAID BEDSIDE COMMODE

The rectangular top above a tambour front and single deep drawer on swept bracket feet, with brass handles to each side.

Height 73.5cm, Width 56cm, Depth 43cm

$2,000-4,000

20

TWO REGENCY ROSEWOOD NESTING TABLES

Each with rectangular top on end supports and short turned feet.

Largest: Height 75cm, Width 46cm, Depth 30.5cm $500-800

21

A GEORGE IV BRASS MOUNTED CALAMANDER LIBRARY TABLE

The design attributed to Gillows, the rectangular top with re-entrant corners on spindle inset end supports with beaded lozenge motif terminating in swept legs with foliate brass castors.

Height 73cm, Width 97cm, Depth 63cm

$4,000-6,000

22

A PAIR OF ITALIAN PAINTED AND PARCEL GILT WALNUT CORNER STOOLS

Mid-18th century, each shaped and upholstered top on four moulded cabriole legs centred with an acanthus motif.

Height 46cm, Width 66cm, Depth 44cm $1,200-1,800

23

A PAIR OF ITALIAN GILTWOOD CANDLESTICK LAMPS

With gold paper shades.

Height 57cm $800-1,200

24

AN ITALIAN FRUITWOOD TUB CHAIR

Last quarter 18th century, the shaped back with bead moulding on cabriole legs with a shell carved apron and shell carved toes, upholstered in burnt orange silk velvet.

$600-800

25

A NORTH ITALIAN CREAM AND POLYCHROME PAINTED DRESSING TABLE

Genoa, mid-18th century, having central mirror flanked by wells above three drawers above the central kneehole on cabriole legs, decorated all over with blue scrolls and flower sprays and rural scenes in red monochrome.

Height 81cm, Width 91cm, Depth 50cm $8,000-10,000

26

AN ITALIAN LOUIS XV STOOL

The rectangular upholstered top above a flowerhead scroll carved apron on cabriole legs with scroll toes, decorated in white and blue.

Height 44cm, Width 85cm, Depth 55cm $1,000-1,500

27

AN ITALIAN POLYCHROME SERPENTINE COMMODE

Sicily, mid-18th century, the jasper top above two drawers decorated sans traverse with a bucolic landscape scene of peasants merrymaking, within scrolls and swags, the sides with similar scenes on a dark green ground with gold painted swags, spandrels and shaped apron, standing on cabriole legs.

Height 100cm, Width 125cm, Depth 59cm

$8,000-12,000

28

AN EMPIRE BERGERE EN GONDOLE

With scroll carved top rail, the incised frame with reeded mouldings, with fluted horn-shaped armrest supports on turned and reeded front legs decorated in cream and gilt, upholstered in yellow and green horsehair fabric with castors.

$2,000-4,000

29

A SET OF FOUR CHINESE EXPORT RED LACQUERED NESTING TABLES

Mid-19th century, each with a rectangular top on a pierced baluster shaped end support joined by a curved stretcher decorated to the tops with junks and other water craft in gold lacquer and sprays of bamboo to each side.

The largest: Height 69cm, Width 50cm, Depth 30cm $1,500-2,000

A VICTORIAN FOUR FOLD CORDOBA LEATHER SCREEN

The embossed panels decorated with polychrome flowers, foliage and putti on a gold ground. Each panel 184 x 54cm

$1,200-1,800

31

A NAPOLEON III BRASS MOUNTED EBONISED DISPLAY CABINET

The moulded frieze above glazed door and sides, having four adjustable shelves, on a shaped apron with square moulded tapering feet with brass mounted headers.

Height 185cm, Width 115cm, Depth 49cm

$2,000-4,000

32

A TOLE PEINTE AND PORCELAIN FLOWER SIXLIGHT CHANDELIER

The cage with scrolling leaves and tendrils set with antique white porcelain flower heads.

Height 75cm

$1,500-2,000

33

TWO PAIRS OF TOLE PEINTE AND PORCELAIN FLOWER GIRANDOLES

A pair of single-light, the other pair of twin-light all with foliate backplates issuing scrolling foliate branches set with white antique porcelain flower heads.

Single-light: Height 40cm; Two-light: Height 52cm $1,500-2,000

34

A PAIR OF CUT CRYSTAL TWO-LIGHT TABLE CHANDELIERS

Each on a circular base rising to a baluster pedestal issuing two curved branches with star-shaped drip pans and flanking a central obelisk shaped standard supporting pagoda top with crystal drops throughout.

Height 55cm $1,000-1,500

35

A FRENCH GILT LEATHER CASKET

Dated 1617, the domed top with brass handle and hinges, decorated all over with bands of scrolls, panels of fleurs de lys, and roses and pomegranates, on brass bun feet.

Height 12.5cm, Width 18cm, Depth 10cm

$600-800

36

TWO CARVED NUTS

Early 19th century, one spherical souvenir of Corsica incised with a portrait of Napoleon and slave, with silver suspension chains; the other depicting a Napoleonic veteran with a hinged pack on his back.

Diameter of spherical nut 6cm

$500-800

A VICTORIAN MAUCHLINE WARE SNUFF BOX

Rectangular, the hinged cover set to the centre with a framed gilt metal relief of game birds.

Height 6cm, Width 8.7cm, Depth 1.5cm

OTHER NOTES:

Mauchline Ware takes its name from the town of Mauchline in Ayrshire, Scotland. In the nineteenth century this small coastal town was home to a thriving industry producing tartan printed sycamore souvenirs such as snuff boxes, egg cups and threadwinders.

$500-800

A GEORGE III SILVER MUSTARD POT AND A PAIR OF GEORGE III SILVER SALTS WITH TWO ASSOCIATED SPOONS

The octagonal mustard pot with maker’s mark of Robert Hennell I, London, 1792, with pierced lattice sides and blue glass liner; the salts with maker’s mark of Robert Hennell I, London, 1774, of oval outline with circular pierced motifs to the side on four claw and ball feet with blue glass liners.

$500-800

A PAIR OF SOUTH ITALIAN CORAL, ENAMELLED AND GILT COPPER URNS

Trapani, late 17th/early 18th century, each bulbous urn inlaid all over with coral, on a beaded foot with a pair of enamelled scrolled handles to either side and an enamelled corona rim, the arrangement of enamel leaves, and coral flowers on spring stems issuing from an engraved circular panel.

*CITES permit required for export

Height 16.5cm

OTHER NOTES:

Trapani, in Sicily, where the present vases were made, was a famous centre of coral-work production between the 16th and the 18th centuries. Famously expensive and collected or exchanged as diplomatic gifts between European nobility, Trapani work generally combines a gilt-copper ground with enamel embellishments and was fashioned into a variety of religious and secular items.

These vases demonstrate many characteristics of workmanship from this region. The decoration of the vases is achieved by setting the pieces of carved

coral into the gilt copper using a technique called ‘retroincastro’. This consists of inserting small pieces of polished coral into pre-punched holes in the metal, which conform exactly to the pieces of coral. The coral is then fixed using a mixture of pitch and wax, sealed with strips of cloth. The spring stamens on the large flowerheads give the vases the “en tremblant” effect popular with diamond jewellery of the time.

$8,000-12,000

40

A PAIR OF NORTH ITALIAN POLYCHROME DECORATED MAJOLICA MIRROR-FRAMES

18th century, probably Le Nove Di Bassano, each moulded with an acanthus spray finial and conforming sides with a bearded mask terminal, the reverse-etched mirror plates with a lady and gentleman in courtly dress.

Height 70cm

LITERATURE:

Levy, S, Maioliche Settecentesche Lombarde e Venete, Milan, 1962, pl. 286 and pl. 287 (similar)

$3,000-5,000

41

A DUTCH POLYCHROME MODEL OF A SEATED CAT

18th century, the seated feline in purple yellow and blue on a moulded base.

Height 19cm

$1,000-1,500

42

A PROSKAU FAIENCE TUREEN AND COVER IN THE FORM OF A DUCK Prószków, mid-18th century, modelled realistically with its head turned toward its tail, decorated with tawny and white plumage more heavily decorated to one side, marked cursive D.P. in manganese to base.

Height 18cm, Length 22cm $2,000-4,000

43

A CONTINENTAL FAIENCE TUREEN AND COVER IN THE FORM OF A PHEASANT

Late 18th century, naturalistically modelled with its head turned to the side, with brown and tawny plumage, a blue neck and head with red ringed eye, the mound base moulded with a tree-stump and leaves, fleur de lys mark to base.

Height 30cm, Length 47cm $600-800

44

A BRUSSELS FAIENCE GAME PIE DISH AND COVER IN FORM OF A RABBIT

Late 18th century, the sides of the tureen with reserves on the sponged-manganese ground with quatrefoil panels painted with flower bouquets, the cover surmounted with a recumbent rabbit.

Length 39cm

OTHER NOTES:

Similar tureens with covers were offered at Christie’s Amsterdam, 27 May, 1986, lot 305; and Sotheby’s New York, Private Collections, 18 April 2015, lot 206 $600-800

45

A SMALL CONTINENTAL WHITE PORCELAIN FIGURE OF A SEATED MONKEY 18th century, shown resting on his haunches, holding an apple, iron red crossed swords mark to underside.

Height 8.2cm $400-600

46

A CONTINENTAL PORCELAIN FIGURAL SCENT BOTTLE

Mid-18th century, in the shape of a woman in a turban, ermine trimmed coat and striped and flower head patterned skirt, tipping her tea bowl into a saucer, the flower head stopper in her turban, on a gilt metal base.

Height 8cm $800-1,200

47

A CONTINENTAL PORCELAIN FIGURE GROUP

Mid-18th century, of a black garbed clergyman offering a bouquet to a woman in a yellow and brown patterned robe seated by a tree stump.

Height 16.2cm $1,200-1,800

48

TWO SIMILAR SHELL-SHAPED PORCELAIN TUREENS

Probably Doccia, mid-18th century, each of irregular marine form painted in various colours on a scallop shell shaped base.

Height 12cm, Width 17cm $800-1,200

A DOCCIA PORCELAIN GROUP OF ELEGANT FIGURES MAKING MUSIC

Mid-18th century, the lady and two gentlemen in coloured clothes seated on a scrolled bench with a cherub headed stool holding sheet music on a base composed of foliate rocaille scrolls painted in colours and gilt.

Height 19cm, Width 21cm, Depth 16cm

$800-1,200

50

A VIENNA PORCELAIN FIGURINE OF A WOMAN AND ANOTHER FIGURINE SIMILAR OF A MAN

The Vienna figure circa 1744-1749, of a country woman holding a posy in a mauve apron and green skirt, impressed beehive mark to base; the man with high crowned hat, black and white cape and striped breeches, iron red mark “229” to base.

Height of woman 11cm

$1,500-1,800

51

A GERMAN ORMOLU MOUNTED ENAMELLED SNUFFBOX

Mid-18th century, of shaped rectangular outline, painted “in colours” to the top and sides with parrots and fruit within raised rocaille borders.

Height 4.5cm, Width 9cm, Depth 6.5cm

$1,000-2,000

52

AN ENAMELLED SNUFFBOX

Mid-18th century, rectangular with slightly domed cover painted with a gentleman and lady with a castle beyond, on a pink ground with white lattice, the sides with rocaille vignettes of castles in landscapes.

Height 3.5cm, Width 7.7cm, Depth 6cm $1,500-2,000

53

A CONTINENTAL PORCELAIN CANDLESTICK

First quarter 18th century, the shaped circular foot moulded with rocaille panels and rising to a knopped shaft and nozzle, decorated all over in gilt the panels painted in colours with “Deutsche Blumen”.

Height 20cm $400-600

54

A CAPODIMONTE (CARLO III) PORCELAIN

FIGURE OF A HARVESTER

Circa 1750, with black hat, shoes and sickle, gilt cross belt and tie to sheaf, puce and blue bordered tunic, pale yellow sheaf, incuse fleur de lys mark to underside.

Height 19.5cm $1,000-1,500

55

A PAIR OF FRANKENTHAL FIGURES OF ORIENTALS

Circa 1770, probably modelled by Karl Gottlieb Lück, both wearing striped pantaloons, flower patterned robes and large hats, one playing a triangle, the other holding a bird on a perch, each on a green base with gilt scrolled borders, crowned CT monogram in underglaze-blue to underside.

Height of tallest 12.5cm

OTHER NOTES:

Several other figures from the series are in the Pauls Collection, Basel, illustrated Dr. E. Pauls-Eisenbeiss, German Porcelain of the 18th Century II, p. 162.

$2,000-4,000

56

TWO CHANTILLY PORCELAIN POT-POURRI VASES AND COVERS

Mid-18th century, each modelled as a covered vase beside a hollow tree-stump issuing roots, the sides and pierced cover applied with flowering vines, one painted with a bird, iron red hunting horn mark to underside.

Width 15.5cm

PROVENANCE:

Collection Frederic Halinbourg, No. 113 and Luis d’Aguiar Collection (paper labels to one)

Christie’s New York, The Connoisseur’s Eye, Property of a New York Collector, 21 October 2014, lot 164 $4,500-6,500

A NYMPHENBURG CHARGER FROM THE IMPERIAL HOFSERVICE

Circa 1760-65, painted with a bouquet of flowers and scattered flower sprays, three butterflies and a dragonfly, the lobed border with ribbed intersections with pendant gilt dots suspended from gilt scrolls within a gilt scrollwork and blue band border, impressed Bavarian shield mark, numeral ‘2’, and ‘W’ to inside of footrim.

Diameter 35cm

LITERATURE:

For a discussion of this service and for further examples see Ziffer, A, Nymphenburger Porzellan: Sammlung Bäuml, 1997, p. 133-139, where the catalogue cites numerous other examples and illustrates ten other pieces.

OTHER NOTES:

The Hofservice was produced for use of the court of Maximillian III Joseph of Bavaria, Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Bavaria from 1745-1777. It was most probably painted by Joseph Zächenberger (1732-1802) who was trained in flower painting by his father and apprenticed under Joseph Ruffin in Munich until 1760 when he became chief flower painter at the Nymphenburg factory. Another piece from this service can be found in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. $8,000-12,000

58

A PAIR OF FRENCH BRONZE, ORMOLU AND PORCELAIN CANDLESTICKS

Mid-18th century, each waisted socle supporting a snail and issuing a scrolling tendril with porcelain flower heads, foliage and a leaf and flower head socket.

Height 14cm $2,000-4,000

59

A MEISSEN PORCELAIN OVAL SUGAR BOX AND COVER

Circa 1720, moulded with bands of acanthus leaves, the cover centred with a foliate boss and gilt within, having gilt line decoration and scrolls.

Height 6cm, Width 13cm, Depth 9.5cm

$4,000-6,000

60

A SILVER GILT MOUNTED MEISSEN HAUSMALEREI PORCELAIN COFFEE POT, THREE CUPS AND SAUCERS AND A TEA CADDY

Circa 1725, all painted ‘en grisaille’ with rustic scenes within gilt Augsburg strapwork, the tea caddy of hexagonal outline marked DSB in iron red script to base.

Height of coffee pot 25cm, Height of tea caddy 10.5cm, Height of cups 4.2cm, Diameter of saucers 12.3cm $15,000-20,000

A MEISSEN PORCELAIN DOUBLE-HANDLED BEAKER AND SAUCER

Circa 1730, each painted in colours with European landscape scenes in the manner of J.G. Höroldt, in shaped reserves, within ‘laub’ and ‘bandelwerk’ borders, blue crossed swords and gilt monogram to underside.

Diameter of saucer 12.8cm, Height of cup 7cm $2,000-4,000 62

A MEISSEN PORCELAIN LARGE CUP

Circa 1735, of ovoid outline with plain handle, finely painted with Chinoiserie scenes in the manner of J.G. Höroldt, one reserve with an artist in a garden painting a lady’s portrait watched by others, the other with two men watching two women bathing; both within gilt and purple borders and coloured scrolls, gilt rim, and footrim, apparently unmarked with paper label “7717” to underside.

Height 10.8cm, Diameter 10.5cm $5,000-8,000

A MEISSEN PORCELAIN FIGURE OF A SULTAN RIDING ON AN ELEPHANT

Circa 1745, modelled by P.J. Reinicke and J.J. Kaendler, the sultan sitting on a patterned cushion and tasselled bolster, wearing a jewelled turban and gilt highlighted purple robe, holding a mace, on a gilt scrolled saddle cloth with tassels, his coloured mahout seated on the elephant’s head holding a hammer, blue crossed swords mark in underglaze blue to underside.

Width 28.5cm

PROVENANCE:

Christie’s London, Continental Ceramics, The Property of a Gentleman, 7 July 2003, lot 116

EXHIBITIONS:

Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, 4th June - 5th September 1982

LITERATURE:

Jedding, H, Meissener Porzellan des 18. Jahrhunderts in Hamburger Privatbesitz Exhibition Catalogue, Hamburg, 1982, p. 210, no. 221 and col. pl. XIII.

OTHER NOTES:

For another similar model in the Dresden Porzellansammlung, see: Albiker, C, Die Meissner Porzellantiere, Berlin, 1959, no. 255; and for two others in the Ansbach Residenz, see Rükert, R, Meissener Porzellan 1710-1810, Munich, 1966, nos. 1060 and 1061.

The burgeoning fashion for all things exotic and Oriental in Europe in the 17th Century ensured the importation of models of elephants from China and Japan, executed in various media, including porcelain. Two Kakiemon models of standing elephants with trunks raised are recorded at Burghley House, Lincolnshire, in the 17th Century; another, mounted as a clock, is in the Munich Residenz; and a fourth is the Dresden Porzellansammlung (see Ayers, J., Impey, O., Mallet, J. et. al, Porcelain for Palaces, The Fashion for Japan in Europe 1650-1750, British Museum Exhibition Catalogue London, 1990, nos. 147 and 160). These elephants are slightly peculiar-looking creatures, modelled with rather creased trunks, almond-shaped eyes and humanoid ears, wearing elaboratelydecorated saddle-cloths across their backs. The most signficant porcelain decorator at Meissen, J. G. Höroldt, must have been familiar with such depictions as evidenced in his sketchbook.

$8,000-12,000

A RARE MEISSEN PORCELAIN BEAKER AND SAUCER

Circa 1723, the tall flared beaker painted in iron-red camaieu, probably by J.G. Höroldt, with two Chinese figures in a garden of flowering plants and a fence with insects overhead, the saucer similarly decorated with a circular scene of a figure attacking a dragon, a phoenix and a salamander with insects and bird flying above and a clump of flowers behind within concentric double-line borders.

Height of beaker 8cm, Diameter of saucer 12.8cm

OTHER NOTES:

From a very rare, early service painted in iron-red, of which the teapot, slop bowl, three beakers and saucers and three teabowls and saucers were sold by Christie’s London, 28 June 1976, lots 138-143, and two other beakers and saucers were sold by Sotheby’s London, 7 November 1972, lots 145 and 146. An additional teabowl was sold at Christie’s London, 5 July 2004, lot 13. Höroldt is recorded as having decorated a service in red as early as 1720 (Pietsch, U., Johann Gregorius Höroldt, 1996, p. 38). Several pieces from the service were exhibited in Dresden in 1996 (ibid., nos. 7-12), when the decoration was attributed in part to Höroldt himself. A beaker and saucer and a teabowl and saucer are in the Carabelli Collection (Pietsch, U., Frühes Meißener Porzellan Sammlung Carabelli, 2000, nos. 2-3) and the slop bowl is in the collection of Jeffrey Tate and Klaus Kuhlemann, London. Another beaker and saucer from the service is in the Arnhold Collection, New York (Cassidy-Geiger, M., The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 2008, no. 74).

$5,000-8,000

A PAIR OF MEISSEN YELLOW GROUND PLATES FROM THE “YELLOW HUNTING” SERVICE Circa 1730, painted to the centre in a chrysanthemum shaped reserve with a phoenix and flower sprays in the Kakiemon style, the rim with three quatrefoil reserves painted with flowers, brown edge, blue crossed swords mark in underglaze blue and incised black Japanese Palace inventory mark N=148 W to underside.

Diameter 32.7cm

OTHER NOTES:

Ordered by Augustus the Strong in 1730 and delivered in late 1734 to the Japanese Palace, it became known as the Yellow Hunting Service due to the similarity of the yellow ground to the hunting livery of the Saxon Court huntsmen. It is the only Meissen dinner service with a coloured ground.

$12,000-18,000

66

A RARE PAIR OF HÖCHST FIGURES OF PANTALOONE AND PANTALONE

Circa 1752, modelled by J.C.L. von Lücke, each figure from The Italian Comedy wearing a fur-lined hat, long black coat and iron-red costume, Pantalone with a dagger at his waist and red shoes, his companion wearing pale yellow shoes, each on a canted rectangular pedestal moulded at the front with a recessed panel and gilt and with a tree-stump support at the rear, wheel marks in iron-red to side of bases.

Height 21.7cm and 20.5cm

PROVENANCE:

The Emma Budge Collection, Hamburg, sold by Hans W. Lange, Berlin, 27-29 September 1937, lots 849 and 850

Acquired in the above auction by the city of Mainz

Restituted to the heirs of Emma Budge in 2013

Bonham’s London, Fine European Ceramics, 18 June 2014, lot 157

Acquired from the above

EXHIBITIONS:

Mainz, Landesmuseum, 1937-2013, inv. nos. 38/36 & 37

Mainz, Landesmuseum, Mittelrheinische Kunstwerke aus sechs Jahrhunderten, 1954; Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace, Commedia dell’Arte Fest der Komödianten, 14 July-14 October 2001 (Pantaloone)

LITERATURE:

Mainzer Zeitschrift 1939, p. 103, pl. X,1; Mittelrheinische Kunstwerke aus sechs Jahrhunderte, exhibition catalogue, 1954, no. 35, ill. 24; Esser, K.H., Höchster Fayencen und Porzellane, 1962, ill. 10;

Esser, K.H./Reber, H., Höchster Fayencen und Porzellane, 1964, p. 17, no. 18; Jansen, R (ed.), Commedia dell’Arte, 2001, p.150 (Pantaloone)

OTHER NOTES:

These models are attributed to the modeller Johann Christoph Ludwig von Lücke by Horst Reber in R. Jansen (ed.), The Commedia dell’arte at the Höchst Factory, op. cit., p. 39-43 (p. 138-144 in the German language volume). Reber (page 41) suggests that Lücke, who was also active at the Meissen and Vienna factories, was influenced by the statues that stood in the garden of the Schönborn Palais in Vienna known through engravings of 1727 by Salomon Kleiner.

These figures, are among the finest examples of these Höchst figures, and are distinguished by the exceptionally fine decoration and use of gilding on the pedestals, and their rarity suggests they were only produced by specific order in limited quantities.

$30,000-40,000

A VINCENNES CUP AND SAUCER (GOBELET A LA REINE ET SOUCOUPE)

Foliate blue interlaced L mark, circa 1752, the cup with a gilt bordered, shaped reserve painted with a pair of water fowl and a shrub, the saucer with a circular reserve and a similar motif, on a mottled ‘bleu nouveau’ ground with gilt marbré, gilt borders. Height of cup 6.2cm, Diameter of saucer 14cm

OTHER NOTES:

An identical cup and saucer is in the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, and was exhibited:

New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Masterpieces of European Porcelain, March 18-May 15, 1949;

New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A Taste for Opulence: Sèvres Porcelain from the Collection, February 21, 2006-February 25, 2007;

Another cup is in the Collection of the British Museum, London, acquired in 1989. $5,000-7,000

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP AND SAUCER (GOBELET HÉBERT ET SOUCOUPE, 2EME GRANDEUR)

Blue interlaced L mark with date latter F for 1758, painter’s mark N for Francois Aloncie (fl.1758-81) the apple green and ‘bleu nouveau’ ground with gilt ‘oeil de perdrix’ and fine scrolls, the cup with a quatrefoil reserve painted with a bird and plants, the saucer with a circular reserve painted with a bird in a tree.

Height of cup 6.5cm, Diameter of saucer 13.5cm

PROVENANCE:

The cup with paper label inscribed “Sir John Macdonald”

$4,000-6,000

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP, COVER AND SAUCER (GOBELET A LAIT COUVERT ET SA SOUCUPE)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter F for 1758, painter’s mark for Yvernel (fl.1750-58), the pink ground with gilt foliate bordered reserves painted with scenes of birds amidst foliage and shrubbery, the cup with flower finial.

Height of cup 7.5cm, Diameter of saucer 12.4cm $5,000-7,000

70

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP, COVER AND SAUCER (GOBELET A LAIT COUVERT ET SA SOUCUPE)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter H for 1760, painter’s mark for André-Vincent Vieillard (fl.1752-90), the apple green ground with gilt foliate bordered reserves painted in colours with Teniers scenes, the cup with flower finial.

Height of cup 8.5cm, Diameter of saucer 13.7cm $4,000-6,000

71

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP AND SAUCER (GOBELET BROUILLARD ET SOUCOUPE, 1ERE GRANDEUR)

The saucer with blue interlaced L mark enclosing date letter E for 1757, painter’s mark y, the pink ground with reserves painted with a rural landscape and figure within gilt and shadowed rococo borders.

Height of cup 6.1cm, Diameter of saucer 13.8cm $4,000-6,000

72

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP AND SAUCER (GOBELET CALABRE ET SOUCOUPE, 1ERE GRANDEUR)

Blue interlaced L mark with date latter M for 1765, painter’s mark for André-Vincent Vieillard, the ‘bleu nouveau’ ground with circular reserve to the saucer and oval reserve to the cup painted in colours with an extensive bucolic landscape with distant chateau, within gilt rococo scroll and flower swags borders. old paper auction catalogue entry glued to the base of saucer

Height of cup 8.3cm, Diameter of saucer 15cm $5,000-7,000

73

A SEVRES PORCELAIN CUP AND SAUCER (GOBELET BROUILLARD ET SOUCOUPE, 1ERE GRANDEUR)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter q for 1769, the pale green ‘oeil de perdrix’ ground with circular reserves painted with a river in a landscape with men fishing, a bridge and farm house beyond, and an obelisk.

Height of cup 6.1cm, Diameter of saucer 13.8cm $4,000-6,000

A SEVRES PORCELAIN ECUELLE, COVER AND STAND (ECUELLE ‘RONDE TOURNEE’, PLATEAU ET COUVERCLE, 3EME GRANDEUR)

Puce interlaced L mark enclosing date letter X for 1775, painter’s mark FB for Bourdin to both, and gilder’s monogram VD for JBE Vandé, the apple green-ground with gilt swags and scrolls enclosing oval panels painted in colours with baskets of flowers on ledges.

Width across handles 16.5cm, Width of stand 20cm

LITERATURE:

Brunet, M and Preaud, T, Sèvres: Des origines à nos jours, 1978, p.212, no.263

OTHER NOTES:

An ecuelle and cover of the same shape is held in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

$7,000-10,000

75

A SEVRES PORCELAIN SQUARE TRAY (PLATEAU CARRÉ)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter E for 1757, painter’s mark X for Jacques-Francois Micaud (fl.17571800+) and incised mark Pt for postulated worker Tristant, the pink ground with gilt dentil border and lines the reserve painted with flowers and fruit.

14.5cm square

OTHER NOTES:

A similar tray of smaller dimensions is held in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

$4,000-6,000

76

A VINCENNES PORCELAIN TEAPOT (THEIERE CALABRE)

Circa 1750, blue interlaced L mark, the ‘bleu celeste’ ground with two reserves having gilt rocaille and flower borders painted with flower sprays.

Height 10.5cm

$2,000-4,000

A SEVRES PORCELAIN OVOID VASE AND COVER Blue interlaced L mark with date letter A for 1753, painter’s mark X for Jacques-Francois Micaud (fl.1757-1800+) the ‘bleu celeste’ ground with shaped oval reserves painted with flowers and fruit within gilt flower and scroll borders, the shaped domed cover with flower head finial, the foot with a band of gilt flowers.

Height 10.5cm

OTHER NOTES:

The shape of this lot is similar to the pot pourri ‘Vase Pompadour’ but lacks its pierced openings.

$5,000-8,000

78

A MATCHED PAIR OF SEVRES PORCELAIN BOTTLE COOLERS (SEAUX A BOUTEILLES)

Both with interlaced L monogram, one with date letter N for 1766 and painter’s mark G for Grison the other with date letter V for 1774, painted with two circular reserves with flowers and fruit on a ‘bleu nouveau oeil de perdrix’ ground.

Height 13cm

$15,000-20,000

79

A SEVRES PORCELAIN BOTTLE COOLER (SEAU A LIQUEUR OVALE)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter N for 1766, painter’s mark for Guillaume Noël (fl. 1755-1800) painted with two shaped oval reserves with flowers and fruit on a ‘bleu nouveau oeil de perdrix' ground. Width across handles 31.5cm

LITERATURE:

Brunet, M and Preaud, T, Sèvres: Des origines à nos jours, 1978, p.192, no.204

OTHER NOTES:

A Sèvres liqueur bottle cooler of the same shape is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

$8,000-12,000

A SEVRES PORCELAIN FLOWER VASE (CUVETTE A FLEURS A TOMBEAU, 2EME GRANDEUR)

Blue interlaced L mark, circa 1770, painted to the front and side panels ‘en grisaille’ with a classical battle scene and trophies, the ‘bleu nouveau’ ground with gilt lines and pendant interlaced swags, the reverse panel with a gilt rosette.

Height 18cm, Width 25cm, Depth 15cm

LITERATURE:

Brunet, M and Preaud, T, Sèvres: Des origines à nos jours, 1978, p.169, no.134

For a detailed discussion of this shape and four examples in The Wallace Collection, see Rosalind Savill, The Wallace Collection of Sèvres Porcelain, 1988, Vol. I, pp. 32-41.

OTHER NOTES:

Other examples of this shape can be found in the Royal Collection, UK, the Metropolitan Museum, USA, and the Getty Museum, USA.

$10,000-15,000

A MATCHED PAIR OF SEVRES PORCELAIN FLOWER VASES AND STANDS (VASE HOLLANDOIS)

One vase with blue interlaced L mark and date letter F for 1758, and fleur de lys painter’s mark possibly that of Vincent Taillandier (fl.1753-90) the stand with interlaced L mark, the other with iron red mark 1307 R to both pieces, and incised CN for postulated worker Chanou, of flared form, each with gilt leaves and dentil rim above ‘bleu celeste’ ground painted with flower garlands and gilt borders, the pierced shaped oval stand reserved with panels of flowers edged with shaded gilt scrolls divided by gilt roundels, below tapering rectangular gilt diaperpattern sections.

Height 17.5cm

LITERATURE:

For a discussion of the form, and for illustrations of the vases in the Wallace Collection, London, see Rosalind Savill, The Wallace Collection, Catalogue of Sèvres Porcelain, London, 1988, pp. 69-91, which include a similar example incised CN.

OTHER NOTES:

This form was introduced at Sèvres in three sizes in 1754 and 1758 and was still recorded in production records of the 1790s. The earliest title vase ‘á la hollandoise’ is believed to derive from the use of these vases as bulb pots and may refer to the Dutch delftware vases of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Another pair of the same shape and decoration by Taillandier is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Other vases hollandois by Chanou are in the collections of the Frick, NY, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA, and Waddesdon Manor, UK.

$20,000-30,000

A RARE SEVRES PORCELAIN RETICULATED VASE (VASE CORNET)

Blue interlaced L mark with date letter K for 1762, painter’s mark K for Charles Nicolas Dodin (fl 1754-1800+), the tall flared neck with a ribbon-tied reeded rim above flutes pierced with gilt ribbontied pendant oak leaves, within blue borders, above a greek-key band flanked by a pair of partially reticulated handles, the ovoid ‘bleu nouveau’ body with a reserve painted in colours with a shepherd, shepherdess and sheep in a landscape in the manner of Boucher, the reverse with peaches, grapes and flowers, the circular foot moulded with zig zag and acanthus flowers.

Height 43.7cm

LITERATURE:

Brunet, M and Preaud, T, Sèvres: Des origisnes à nos jours, 1978, p.168, no.132

OTHER NOTES:

At the cusp of the rococo and neo-classicism this vase combines elements of both styles- the classical moulded greek-key, oak leaves and ribbon tied motifs combined with the rococo scrolling terminals to the handles and the shaped base of the ovoid body. The Sèvres collections of the Duke of Bedford, Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire has a vase of the same model and size, and similar vases of a smaller size in different colours can be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania and the Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts.

$50,000-80,000