
John Sandon
Consultant
This auction has ended. View lot details



Sold for £2,750 inc. premium
Our British Ceramics specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialist
Consultant

Head of Sale
Provenance:
Major General Friedrich Julius von Schwerin, by family tradition a gift from Frederick the Great; and by direct descent in the von Schwerin family to the present owner
Major General von Schwerin (1699-1714) was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Philipp von Schwerin (1662-1712) and his brother was Lieutenant General Philipp Bogislav von Schwerin. To distinguish himself from his brother, Friedrich Julius was called 'The Blond Schwerin'.
Friedrich Julius joined the Infantry Regiment and rose through the ranks. In 1740 he was promoted to Major and later the same year King Frederick William I appointed him head of the infantry forces at Dreyleben and Sommerschenburg. On 17 May 1742 Friedrich Julius fought with distinction at the battle of Chotusitz. This battle was part of the War of the Austrian Succession when the Prussians were commanded by Frederick the Great. For his bravery at Chotusitz King Frederick II promoted von Schwerin to Colonel. In November 1745 von Schwerin was further promoted to Major General.
It seems likely that this glass was commissioned by Frederick II as a mark of gratitude for the Major's bravery at Chotusitz.
A goblet in the Prof. K. von Bardeleben collection is engraved with a similar portrait of Frederick II and closely-related Classical figure and trophy decoration. This is signed on the footrim 'Rosbach Fecit Berlin'. This is illustrated by Robert Schmidt, Brandenburgische Glaser (1914), pl.32, fig.2.
Please note that in the footnote to this lot the dates for Major General von Schwerin are incorrectly given and should read 1699-1747.