Helena Wolfsohn Dresden Porcelain Urns on Pedestals, Royal Yellow, c.1879-1883
£980.00
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An impressive pair of German Dresden porcelain urns on separate square pedestals, produced by the celebrated atelier of Helena Wolfsohn, Dresden, c.1879-1883. Executed during the final years of the famous AR mark, these architectural urns embody the luxurious Historicist style for which Dresden porcelain became internationally renowned in the late nineteenth century.
Each urn is of elegant two-handled neoclassical form and hand-painted with a vibrant, rare Royal Yellow ground (Yellow Ground) and fine gilding featuring chased scales, scrolls and sunburst elements. Chased scale ornament, scrolling arabesques, mosaic-pattern borders and radiating sunburst motifs combine to create an exceptionally rich decorative scheme across both the urns and their pedestals.
The principal reserves contain finely painted galante scenes of elegant courtiers in landscaped settings, executed in the romantic eighteenth-century manner associated with Watteau and Boucher. Additional reserves are decorated with hand-painted European flower bouquets, while related figural scenes continue around the pedestal sections.
The underside bears the underglaze blue AR pseudomark, the celebrated tribute mark employed by Helena Wolfsohn prior to its prohibition in 1883.
A particularly interesting feature is the survival of the original nineteenth-century mounting system. Each urn remains secured to its pedestal by the original internal brass threaded rod and bolt assembly. This massive original brass fixing assembly, retaining its original nineteenth-century rusted bolt, is a remarkable survival and demonstrates the advanced construction methods used for large exhibition-quality porcelain of the period.
A highly decorative and increasingly difficult-to-find pair from one of Dresden's most admired decorating ateliers.
Dimensions:
Vase 1: Height 27.2 cm; Width 15.5 cm; Depth 11 cm; Weight 1207 g
Vase 2: Height 27.3 cm; Width 15.5 cm; Depth 11 cm; Weight 1224 g
Condition:
Vase 1: Small losses to the gilding. The wooden washer beneath the metal fixing plate has cracked and is deteriorating with age. Otherwise in very good antique condition with well-preserved decoration and miniature painting.
Vase 2: Wear to the gilding. The urn body moves slightly in relation to the pedestal and requires tightening of the original fixing assembly. Otherwise in very good antique condition with well-preserved decoration and miniature painting.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.
Helena Wolfsohn Dresden Porcelain Urns on Pedestals, Royal Yellow, c.1879-1883
£980.00
Each urn is of elegant two-handled neoclassical form and hand-painted with a vibrant, rare Royal Yellow ground (Yellow Ground) and fine gilding featuring chased scales, scrolls and sunburst elements. Chased scale ornament, scrolling arabesques, mosaic-pattern borders and radiating sunburst motifs combine to create an exceptionally rich decorative scheme across both the urns and their pedestals.
The principal reserves contain finely painted galante scenes of elegant courtiers in landscaped settings, executed in the romantic eighteenth-century manner associated with Watteau and Boucher. Additional reserves are decorated with hand-painted European flower bouquets, while related figural scenes continue around the pedestal sections.
The underside bears the underglaze blue AR pseudomark, the celebrated tribute mark employed by Helena Wolfsohn prior to its prohibition in 1883.
A particularly interesting feature is the survival of the original nineteenth-century mounting system. Each urn remains secured to its pedestal by the original internal brass threaded rod and bolt assembly. This massive original brass fixing assembly, retaining its original nineteenth-century rusted bolt, is a remarkable survival and demonstrates the advanced construction methods used for large exhibition-quality porcelain of the period.
A highly decorative and increasingly difficult-to-find pair from one of Dresden's most admired decorating ateliers.
Dimensions:
Vase 1: Height 27.2 cm; Width 15.5 cm; Depth 11 cm; Weight 1207 g
Vase 2: Height 27.3 cm; Width 15.5 cm; Depth 11 cm; Weight 1224 g
Condition:
Vase 1: Small losses to the gilding. The wooden washer beneath the metal fixing plate has cracked and is deteriorating with age. Otherwise in very good antique condition with well-preserved decoration and miniature painting.
Vase 2: Wear to the gilding. The urn body moves slightly in relation to the pedestal and requires tightening of the original fixing assembly. Otherwise in very good antique condition with well-preserved decoration and miniature painting.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.