Lot 303 Dα

Kakiemon dishes such as these, large and small, as well as jugs and cups, would have been displayed symmetrically on small consoles in a wooden trellis, which dressed the wall, often flanking a mirror or fireplace. The great royal residencies in Munich, Dresden and Berlin all possessed such porcelain rooms, which were copied by the small courts.

This well-known Kakiemon type of the octagonal dish comes with a variety of decorations. The wall to the outside can display hōō, bamboo and prunus (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, cf. Menno Fitski, Kakiemon Porcelain. A Handbook, Rijksmuseum 2011, p. 76, fig. 76), horses in a meadow (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, cf. Porcelain for Palaces, Oriental Ceramic Society, London 1990, p. 170, cat. no. 150) or bamboo, rocks and birds (Landesmuseum Kassel, cf. Porzellan aus China und Japan, Berlin 1990, p. 451, cat. no. 223). The design spreads across three to four panels depending on the shape and a medallion of two hōō birds is typically found inside.

The motif of the hōō bird, generally referred to as a phoenix, is often seen on Kakiemon porcelain. It is a composite creature bearing elements of a rooster, pheasant and bird of paradise. In China it symbolizes the Empress, whilst in Japan it is rather associated with marital harmony. In general the hōō is considered as auspicious. In Europe, however, it represents the embodiment of the exotic. In particular, the combination of phoenix and prunus or peony became a leitmotif of the Meissen decoration "à la Chinoise".

The pair of dishes offered here for auction was once in the private art collection of Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden (1826-1907), which he acquired for his Kunstkammer founded in 1880. The dishes had been on display since 1879 in the rooms of the Grand Ducal Naturalia Cabinet in the residency palace in Karlsruhe. In 1883 the art historian Karl Koelitz (1852-1932) compiled the "Beschreibendes Inventar (Katalog) der Allerhöchsten Privatsammlung kunstgewerblicher Gegenstände (Zähringer-Museum), Aufgestellt in den Räumen des ehemaligen Großherzoglichen Naturalienkabinets" (Descriptive inventory (catalogue) of the most highest private collection of arts and crafts objects (Zähringer Museum), exhibited in the rooms of the former Grand Ducal Naturalia Cabinet). Here on page 121 under the heading "Französisches Fritten- oder Weich-Porzellan" (French fries or soft porcelain), is listed: 1756.57. 2 octagonal bowls decorated with flower bushes (peach) and bird of paradise" (fig. 1).

After the collapse of the German Empire, the abdication of Grand Duke Friedrich I von Baden (1826-1907) on November 22, 1918 (henceforth he called himself Margrave von Baden) and as a result of the separation of the estate between the Grand Ducal house and the state of Baden in 1919, the works of art were transferred to the Neues Schloss in Baden-Baden, which was now privately owned by the Margrave. These works were compiled by the gallery inspector Richter in the "Inventar des Zähringer Museums, aufgestellt in den Räumen des Kavalierbaus des Großherzoglichen Schlosses in Baden-Baden" (Inventory of the Zähringen Museum, exhibited in the rooms of the cavalier house of the Grand Ducal castle in Baden-Baden).

The new Zähringer Museum remained in this castle until 1981. The art collection and inventory were auctioned by Sotheby's under the banner "Margrave's Auction" in 1995 in order to cover the Baden house's debts of 140 million Deutschmarks and to pull them out of financial difficulties. The castle was sold in 2003. Having changed hands a number of times, it is currently being converted into a luxury hotel by the Hyatt group.


Fig. 1 Karl Koelitz, "Descriptive Inventory (Catalogue) of the Most Highest Private Collection of Arts and Crafts (Zähringer Museum), exhibited in the rooms of the former Grand Ducal Naturalia Cabinet", Karlsruhe 1883, p. 121, heading "French Porcelain"