A Berlin KPM porcelain étagère from a dinner and dessert service made for Prince Karl von Hessen und bei Rhein
Unidentified model comprised of six parts connected via gilt metal mountings. Square plinth with round base supporting a broad gilded bowl with a fluted column supporting a corresponding narrower bowl above with the handle. Both pieces decorated with a colourful wreath of wildflowers. Blue sceptre mark, red imperial orb mark. H 39, D ca. 21 cm.
1836.
The marriage of the Prussian Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and the Bavarian Princess Elisabeth Ludovika took place on 16th November 1823. The two were married per produrationem (by proxy) in a Catholic ceremony in the Court Chapel of the Munich Residence. On occasion of the wedding, King Friedrich Wilhelm III commissioned a large dinner and dessert service to be made for the couple by the manufactory. The commission is recorded in the royal account books and can still be read in the KPM archives in Potsdam. The following entry is recorded on 7th November 1836: "For: Highness Prince Carl von Heßen and bei Rhein for the marriage to Princess Elisabeth v. Pr.: Royal Highness."
The dessert portion of this wedding service included eight "tambours (étagères) for confect, with coloured flower garlands. Inside gold ground, outside gold ground" priced at 26 reichstaler and 5 silver groschen a piece. Four of the eight tambours were sold by Galerie Fischer in Lucerne in 1925 in an auction titled "Works of art from the possession of the former ruling princes and their families". A further 242 items from the dinner and dessert service for Princess Elisabeth of Prussia were also sold there as a "Wedding present from King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, commissioned for a princess".
We would like to thank Mr. Dag Nabrdalik for kindly providing this information.