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7490
The type of porcelain: White, painted
Issue year: 1748
Height: 18 cm
Weight: 490 g
Vendor code: 26A184-51141-1

"Exotic Animals" goblet

7490
Vendor code: 26A184-51141-1

The founding of Europe's first porcelain manufactory provided Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, with unprecedented means of political power. Porcelain was commissioned by and for other royal houses in order to strengthen diplomatic ties. One example of this is the magnificent "Northumberland Service", which was presented as a gift to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, an English emissary in Dresden, in 1748. The service is distinguished by its wealth of decorative elements and is one of the most visually stunning sets in the manufactory's history. Each of the 129 pieces of the service features a different animal as a central motif. Engravings by Johann Elias Ridinger served as the primary source of inspiration; however, woodcuts by Albrecht Du- rer were also used, such as the engraving of a rhinoceros from 1515.

For the 2019 "Limited Masterworks" reissue of these historic designs, the painting is depicted on the broad white surfaces of the dish and the goblet - both designed in the first half of the 18th century - allowing the design to truly come to life. The rhinoceros, porcupine, and camel were selected as the designs for the piece on the basis of original templates from the Meissen archive and, as in the original service, are surrounded by intricate wreaths of painted flowers. Both animal and flower painting are their own separate genres in porcelain decoration and are only carried out by specially trained painters. Gold-plated edges provide the pain tings with distinguished frames.

"Exotic Animals" goblet Art Salon
7490 Art Salon