Lighting

ITEM DETAILS Remarkable Surviving Berlin Porcelain (K.P.M.) Porcelain Fifteen Light Chandelier Based on a Royal Model. The Gilt Bronze 18th Century with 18th Century Berlin Porcelain Flowers and Porcelain Elements. Created by The Royal Manufacturer in Mid to Late 19th Century. This particular model "A Fifteen Light Crown Chandelier" is referenced by the Royal Factory and gifted to Royal and Noble Residences throughout Europe. The Larger model "A Twenty-One Light Chandelier" quite similar to this but with classical figures is also referenced. Sotheby's recently sold a Twenty-One Light Chandelier also with similar provenance. Reference: Sotheby's, The Collection of Suzanne Saperstein, 19 April 2012 and Royal and Noble, 17 January 2019 Literature: Georg Lenz, Berliner Porzellan, die Manufaktur Friedrich des Grossen 1763-1786, Berlin 1913, p. 25, ill. 104; Kaiserlicher Kunstbesitz aus dem Holländischen Exil Haus (exh. cat.), Doorn, Berlin, 1991 for a discussion and illustration of the comparable chandelier by Pierre Geoffroy, p. 111, Cat. nr. 103. This impressive chandelier is based on a royal model from the first period of friderizianisches Rokoko from the celebrated Köningliche Porzellan Manufaktur (K.P.M.), considered the most beautiful Rococo porcelain produced in Germany. Two large 15 and 21 light chandeliers first appear on Christmas 1765 in the King's Privy Purse invoices, under acquisitions from the Porcelain Manufactory. The only known stamp on equivalent chandeliers belongs to Pierre Geoffroy, who headed the bronze workshop of the K.P.M. and died in 1765, which helps confirm a probable date of creation for the present model. In 1753, the bronzeur Pierre Geoffroy came to Potsdam from Paris to be employed in the Factory of Ormolu Works founded by Johann Melchior Kambly in 1752. The frequent payments from the royal purse for the K.P.M. ‘crown’ chandeliers leads one to assume that such pieces were preferred gifts by Frederick the Great to other courts and the current lot is a testament of the lasting impression these spectaculars objects produced. The chandelier offered here is the same model as three chandeliers delivered to Potsdam (one now in Huis Doorn, Netherlands) and one given to Frederick the Great’s niece who married the Prince of Orange (now in Het Loo), although the porcelain seems to be produced in the late 19th century, possibly using some old elements. It is interesting to note that there are archival references which mention the K.P.M. factory as having two 18th century chandeliers of this model still in their inventory in the 19th century (SPSG. The Archives of the Neues Palais, Postdam, Hist. Akten. Nr.264. fol.6 and fol.11, 1821). These might have been the basis for K.P.M. re-issuing a few examples of the model in the late 19th century using old elements – such as the bronze crown completed with newly made pieces. This appears to be the case with another chandelier of this model now in the Berlin Kunstgewerbemuseum at Schloss Koepenick, which was acquired by the museum directly from the K.P.M. factory in the early 20th century, and described in the accessions register as being composed of ‘old and new elements’. Provenance: Collection Private Family of Note Creator: Berlin Royal Porcelain Factory (Manufacturer) Dimensions: Height: 47 in (119.38 cm) Diameter: 38 in (96.52 cm) Style: Rococo (Of the Period) Materials and Techniques: Ormolu,Porcelain,Gilt Place of Origin: Germany Period: 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 1765 to 1880 Condition: Good Repaired: Museum Restoration to some flowers, tips of pineapple, one leaf on central shaft and three candle saucers. Replacements made: Mostly 18th Century Berlin Porcelain Flowers with additions of 19th and 20th Century replacements. Wear consistent with age and use. Currently returned to candle light but can be French wired at customers request.