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Lot 198

A very rare German porcelain commemorative watch stand, probably Nymphenburg, dated 1785

14 June 2017, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £2,000 inc. premium

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A very rare German porcelain commemorative watch stand, probably Nymphenburg, dated 1785

In the form of a an obelisk with pierced oval cartouche and recess, surmounted by a putto on drapery supporting an oval shield with a silhouette portrait of a lady facing dexter, on four ball feet on a rectangular plinth applied with grasses and moulded with gilt-edged swags and a laurel wreath enclosing the gilt initials 'B.M./ P.', on a rockwork base with figures of Chronos and a reclining nymph, the latter leaning on an open book inscribed in gilding 'Dein künftig/ Schiksal sey/ wie heute am/ Tage unsrer Hoch:/ zeit Freude./ [...]/ den 8.Aug:/ Ano 1785.', gilt coins scattered at the feet of Chronos, 30cm high (putto and shield restuck, minor wear)

Footnotes

Provenance:
Louise Catherine Antoinette, Baroness van Zuylen van Nyevelt, Hyde Park, Doorn, The Netherlands;
Thence by descent to the present owner

The gilt inscription in the open book on the base reads "May your future fate be as today, the day of our marriage, happiness. [...] 8th August 1785"; unfortunately, the place-name preceding the date is worn and illegible. A marked Nymphenburg group, titled 'Die erhebte Wahrheit' with similarly modelled figures of a winged, bearded man holding aloft a nymph, is illustrated by F.H. Hofmann, Geschichte der Bayerischen Porzellan-Manufaktur Nymphenburg (1921-23), I, ill. 170.

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