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An important Berlin (Potsdam) engraved presentation goblet attributed to Elias Rosbach, circa 1742-45 image 1
An important Berlin (Potsdam) engraved presentation goblet attributed to Elias Rosbach, circa 1742-45 image 2
An important Berlin (Potsdam) engraved presentation goblet attributed to Elias Rosbach, circa 1742-45 image 3
Lot 25

An important Berlin (Potsdam) engraved presentation goblet attributed to Elias Rosbach, circa 1742-45

Amended
17 May 2017, 10:30 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £2,750 inc. premium

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An important Berlin (Potsdam) engraved presentation goblet attributed to Elias Rosbach, circa 1742-45

With Hochschnitt und Tiefschnitt decoration, the thistle-shaped bowl representing the apotheosis of Frederick II (The Great) of Prussia, the profile portrait of the King on a monument surmounted by a crown and two eagles, flanked by figures in Roman dress seated on military trophies including Prussian flags, the reverse with troops lined up in battle formation, probably representing the battle of Chotusitz, the base of the bowl cut with a scale pattern in Hochschnitt, on a sharply-turned stem with a central beaded and milled annular knop, the domed foot cut underneath the base with the badge of a Prussian Order with the eagle engraved on the pontil, 16.8cm high, in a fitted presentation case

Footnotes

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.

Saleroom notices

Please note that in the footnote to this lot the dates for Major General von Schwerin are incorrectly given and should read 1699-1747.

Additional information

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