Kaendlers Indian Figures for the large Centrepiece of Count Brühl of 1737
Our set of figures is a central component of the large Plat de Ménage on “Indianische Arth für den Grafen Brühl” created by Kaendler in 1737. This completely independent and original work is as Rückert calls it “a high achievement in the development of a distinct style of European porcelain” (in Keramos 150/1995 p.23). According to Zimmermann it is the most fantastic and richest work by Kaendler of the time (quoted of Sotheby’s 25.3.1958 no. 145). It is the first order by Count Brühl after his elevation to Imperial Count (27.5.1737).
The ensemble consists of the complete set which was intended for one side of the Plat de Ménage and stood on the lower plate in front of the lemon basket.
- Oil Jug in the shape of a Chinese Man riding a Rooster: 17,5 cm high, 14,4 cm wide / traces of a swords mark on the unglazed base
- Mustard Vessel in the shape of a Chinese Woman riding a Hen: 18,5 cm high, 17,3 cm wide; swords mark on the unglazed base; undetermined impressed mark
- Sugar Shaker in the shape of Two Pagodas Embracing Each Other: 20,1 cm high / faint swords mark on the unglazed base
- Spice Box in the shape of a Shell: 14 cm wide, 6,7 cm high / underglaze blue swords mark
From an old Belgian family estate
Description
The idea for the large Japanese-style Plat de Ménage thus went back to Kaendler and Count Brühl who worked it out in the middle of 1737. Brühl commissioned Kaendler with a corresponding design draft. In June 1737, Kaendler documented it on this in his work report (serial no. 7):
"Your High Grace Excellency, to the Gentlemen of Brühl two large drawings of Eparnien made in the Japanese manner with sugar, vinegar and oil jars, as large as those required in nature, which mostly consisted of figures.”
During July/August 1737 of the same year, he reported on the beginning of his work on the Surtout and mentioned the lemon basket and the mustard jar in July/August of 1737 (serial no. 14):
“For Your Excellency, the Count of Brühl: A large Eparnie or Platt Ménage started in the Indian Manner, in which the upper part, the lemons are placed, is decorated with friezes and Indian birds which sit on branches covered with flowers, on which there are also many other ornaments. Such a piece is finished, but the lower part and other parts such as vinegar, mustard and oil jars, which are all in the shape of figures, are only made in coarsest traits, because such pieces require a lot of work.”
Immediately afterwards in September/October Kaendler finished the remaining parts of the Plat de Ménage in one go as a complete set, which he describes in detail in his work reports (nos. 1-9, see our expertise).
There are only two known versions of the large lower plate created for the centrepiece: one in the Bavarian National Museum (Coll. Dr. Schneider, Lustheim Palace) and one in the Art institute Chicago. The ensemble in the Bavarian National Museum is the only complete version. According to Katharina Hantschmann, it is a highlight of the large and important Schneider Collection (see cat. Swan Service pp. 210-215 and exhibition cat. 2010 pp. 115 ff.).
The centrepiece was intended for the table in Brühl's Palace in Dresden, but fell into the hands of Frederick the Great during the Seven Years' War as spoils of war, who gave it to his general Heinrich von Möllendorf (1724–1816). The subsequent station up to the Schneider Collection can be traced back today (see our expertise).
The fact, that our Ensemble contains a Shell-Box indicates, that our figures were part of a Complete Centrepiece (and no later mouldings, which were also made as single pieces by the manufactory). Additionally our pieces do not bear impressed numbers (as do most of the comparative pieces). As consequence, therefore their date of origin must be assessed before 1739.
Picture-gallery
