A Meissen beaker and cover (deckelpokal), circa 1725-28, blue crossed swords mark to beaker, gilder's F. mark to both pieces

Lot 94. The beaker of flared cylindrical form, the lower part moulded with bands of stiff acanthus leaves divided by gilt, iron-red and purple scrolls, the upper part painted with a Kauffahrtei scene of ladies and gentleman, merchants and porters at various pursuits before boats and ships, above a double iron-red line support and below a gilt Laub-und-Bandelwerk border, the domed cover with a roundel of two similar scenes flanking the double-knop gilt finial, within a band of similar radiating moulded acanthus leaf ornament (several minute chips to the flange of the cover, minor rubbing to tip of finial and rim) - 5¾ in. (14.6 cm.) high - Estimate: £10,000-15,000

Provenance : H.R.H. Princess Olga of Greece, sale Sotheby's, London, 5th July 1966, lot 14.

Note : Variants of this popular and enduring form can be seen in Böttger red stoneware and porcelain and are traditionally attributed to designs by the court silversmith Johann Jacob Irminger. For a related pair of beakers from the Trevelyan Collection with the same gilder's mark and similar scenes in cartouches attributed to Johann Georg Heintze, see T.H. Clarke, et. al., Treasure Houses of Britain, Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting Exhibition Catalogue (Washington, 1985), no. 392. Also see the example sold in these Rooms from an Important Swiss Collection on 21st February 2005, lot 7.

Christie's. A Highly Important Private Collection of Meissen & Other Continental Ceramics. 11 December 2007, 2:30 pm. 8 King Street, St. James's, London