A Meissen lobed beaker and saucer, circa 1730. Photo: Bonhams.

Painted in Kakiemon style with sprigs of prunus, peonies and pomegranate, around a floral motif on the saucer, the saucer: 15cm diam., the beaker 6.6cm high, crossed swords marks in blue enamel, incised // inside footrim of saucer (for J.G. Geithner), incised Japanese Palace inventory number N=342-/ W to both (2). Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 (€7,400 - 9,900)

Provenance: The Royal collections of Saxony, Japanese Palace, Dresden;
The Property of a European Nobleman, sold Sotheby's London, 26 June 1982, lot 50

Literature: U. Pietsch, Frühes Meissener Porzellan aus einer Privatsammlung (1993), no. 73

Exhibited: Lübeck, Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte der Hansestadt Lübeck - St. Annen-Museum, 'Frühes Meissener Porzellan aus einer Privatsammlung', 14 November-31 January 1994;
Aachen, Museen der Stadt Aachen - Couven Museum, 'Frühes Meissener Porzellan aus einer Privatsammlung', 26 February-20 April 1994

The 1770 inventory of the Japanese Palace records: 'Sieben und Dreyßig Stück detto [gerippte und gemuschelte Chocolaten-] Becher, mit Blumen gemahlt, 2¾. Zoll tief, 3½. Zoll in Diam: und Eben soviel Unterschaalen, 1¼. Zoll tief, 6½. Zoll in Diam: No. 342 1 Paar Defect' [thirty-seven ditto {fluted and moulded chocolate) beakers, painted with flowers...] (quoted by C. Boltz, Japanisches Palais-Inventar 1770 und Turmzimmer-Inventar 1769, in Keramos 153 (1996), p. 57).

Bonhams. FINE EUROPEAN CERAMICS. London, New Bond Street, 18 Jun 2014 - http://www.bonhams.com/