Royal
Vienna - inkwell set, about 1770 - 1780. Mark:
basic shield mark in under glaze blue. Tray: L 10 1/8". Inkwell: H
2 3/8". There are a total of seven pieces and it is in absolutely perfect
condition. The porcelain liners for the ink are there. The inkstand is
on rectangular shape with notched corners. The center interior is hand
painted with polychrome riverside scenes of merchants and their wares
and a numerous boats and buildings in the background. The scenes rest on
elaborate pedestal painted in gold and shadowed with black lines. On the
side of the frame are two shelves with a single Chinese figure painted
in purple monochrome. The try is also painted with a large colorful
flower and smaller scattered flowers. The two inkwell are painted with a
similar polychrome scene. The Vienna
 porcelains fall into three main
periods: the Du Paquier period from 1718 to 1744; the Imperial and Royal
manufactory from 1744 to 1864; and the post- 1864 private enterprises.
It should be stated at once that most "Vienna- type"
porcelains, usually bearing the shield mark of the Imperial period were
made well after the main factory had been closed in 1864! The genuine
shield mark will be in under glaze blue ( not in over glaze enamel) and
it will be hand- painted. Consequently it should show slight
irregularities in the drawing, unlike a later printed copy. The Du
Paquier porcelains are unmarked and are extremely rare. In addition to
the standard mark many examples made from about 1784 bear impressed year
numerals, using the last two digits. After 1800 the last three digits
appear. In general the Vienna hard- paste porcelain are rather thicker
in the potting than the German; they are consequently rather heavier in
weight.
◄BACK |
