Stunning KPM Gilded Porcelain Chalice Circa 1790-1810 Ref. B-6
This is a very decorative and highly collectible porcelain gilded chalice was made by KPM (Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur) around ( I believe) the 1790-1810 period. The KPM marks are very difficult to date accurately as they were all extremely similar in style and all hand-painted. However, we do know that by 1837 the KPM initials were added.
The chalice shows a wonderful décor with medallion on the front side which shows two Putti, one blowing a small horn, the other holding a book of music, are found sitting on a cloud. At the base of the Chalice three figures of children appear, the dark haired girl with red dress holding a blacksmith's hammer and a set of pincers, whilst the two other figures show a girl attending to her long hair and a boy holding a 'shield' and what appears to be an axe. Above an anvil sits an owl. There must have been some significance in the display, but, I have been unable to find it. Possibly they relate to an old folk lore.
The history of KPM goes back to 1763 when the Prussian king Frederick II became enamoured with porcelain or "white gold' as it was called.He took over the KPM company from Johann Ernst who held the secret recipe for porcelain, and, up to 1918, the company was owned by no less than seven kings and emperors. It was Frederick who gave the company its name as well as allowing his emblem, a cobalt-blue sceptre, to be used for identification marks.
Wilhelm Wegely, took command in 1751, and increased the production. Frederick proclaimed that the secret formula for the production of porcelain, which had the status of a state secret, would never be divulged. Even the workers were required to swear that they would keep the secret. The kings proclamation made good economic sense. Exclusiveness increased the market value of the white gold.
By the late 1790's KPM was a modern manufactory, and it eagerly introduced new technologies. The new kilns were considerably more efficient because the firing chambers were stacked one above the other, and, in 1807, KPM became the first enterprise in the country to acquire a steam engine!
The gilded chalice, as shown above, remains in very good condition throughout with very slight wear to the gilding and shows no damage nor restoration to the figures nor the chalice itself. It has a height of 13.5 cm and a diameter of 8.5 cm. This is a stunning example of the expertise in porcelain manufacturing from nearly 220 years ago.
Please Note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject. This is a genuine antique. The classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Price: R6,500.00
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