These tureens form part of the most important dinner-service ever produced by the Fürstenberg Manufactury.
A circa 1765 pair of Fürstenberg Porcelain (Porzellanmanufaktur Fürstenberg) oval two-handled tureens with covers / lids (no under plates) from a dinner-service commissioned by Charles I (Karl I), Duke of Brunswick (1713-1780), blue script "F" marks on the bottom of each tureen.
Charles (Karl in German) was the eldest son of Ferdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel. He fought under Prince Eugen of Savoy against the Ottoman Empire before inheriting the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel from his father in 1735. Through his mother he was first cousins with Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
Charles attempted to promote the economic development of his state by founding the Fürstenberg Porcelain Company (Porzellanmanufaktur Fürstenberg) among other things. It is the second oldest porcelain manufacturer in Germany that still operates on its original site. Sadly, he did not manage to keep the state finances in check. As a consequence, in 1773 his eldest son Charles William Ferdinand took over government.
Germany, 18th century
MEASUREMENTS:
10.5" H x 13" W x 9" D n
detailed history of a pair of tureens from the same service
Christie's 2001 / Live Auction 6432
British and Continental Ceramics, Lot 225
THE PROPERTY OF A NOBLEMAN
These tureens form part of the most important dinner-service ever produced by the Fürstenberg manufactury, and the greater part of it is now in the Royal Collection. Described as 'Gravierte Tafel Service, so mit bunten Prospekten, Purpur Blumen und Girlanden mit goldenen Blaettern, incl. Staffir un Baroc: Rand Vergoldung', it cost 841 Reichsmarks 12 groschen and was delivered to the Hochfurstlich Porzellan Lager in August 1773.
From the way the costs are broken down it is clear that the various decorative elements were carried out by different artists. However the Prospekten were drawn and executed by Johann Friedrich 'Pascha' Weitsch (1723-1803). A corporal in the Brunswick forces in the Seven Years War, he was released from military service in 1758 by the Duke and joined the Fürstenberg manufactury as a colour painter, where he became the leading painter of his day. Many of his preparatory drawings still survive in the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum in Braunschweig.
The 'Gravierte' pattern was modelled by J.C. Rombrich. The '2 ditto terrinen no.1 at 21 Reichsmarks 6 Groschen' each recorded in the original invoice of 1773 with their stands at 10 Reichsmarks each clearly refers to the present lot.
For details of the service see S. Ducret, Das Fürstenberger Porzellan, Vol. II, pp. 80 seqq, and for a similar tureen in the collection of H.M. The Queen at Windsor Castle and exhibited at the Westfälisches Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Münster (4th December 1988 - 8th February 1989) and the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig (9th March 1989 - 7th May 1989), see B. Wolf-Metternich et al., 'Weisses Gold aus Fürstenberg' Catalogue (1988), pp. 174-185, no. 52.
