From the collection of Augustus the Strong: A K´ang-hsi Porcelain Vase and Cover with Dresden lacquer over-decoration, around 1700/after 1710

Attributed to Martin Schnell

Exhibited by Rudigier Fine Art Limited

Material Porcelain

Dimensions 30.3 × 13.5 cm

Price €95,000

Status Vetted

About the Work

Painted in underglaze blue; over-decorated in dark brown-red lacquer ground, with polychrome lacquer decoration, partly in relief.

The passion for lacquer and porcelain ran highest at the Dresden court of Augustus the Strong (reign 1694–1733). Not only did the king possess an important collection of Japanese export lacquer. He had, moreover, a unique gift for talent spotting which led him to engage for the Dresden court presumably the most gifted artist of his day working in lacquer: Martin Schnell (circa 1675–1740). Martin Schnell was appointed ‘Hofflacquirer’ [lacquerer to the court] on 22 January 1710, just one day before the Meissen Porcelain Factory was granted its royal patent.

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Provenance

Saxon Royal Collection
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Porcelain Collection
Inventory numbers: „I.558* in black (Dresden Residence Castle); “Pi.41…” in dark red (Moritzburg Castle); “P.O.285” (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Zwinger)
After 1994 restituted to the Saxon Royal Family (Haus Wettin A.L.)
German private collection

Literature

Monika Kopplin (Hg.), Schwartz Porcelain. Die Leidenschaft für Lack und ihre Wirkung auf das europäische Porzellan. Exh. cat. Museum für Lackkunst, Münster and Schloß Favorite, 2004, p. 42 cat. no. 10 and p. 35, fig. 16 (erreonously with inv. no. P.O. 284).