ROYAL VIENNA 100% HAND PAINTED MINIATURE ERBLUHT PORTRAIT EWER PITCHER KLEMM DRESDEN

A very nicely done Royal Vienna style miniature handled ewer or pitcher featuring a portrait of a semi-nude woman.  The decoration on this ewer is all 100% hand painted, as is all of the elaborate and ornate gold decoration, trim and gold beading.  All of this was very skillfully hand-painted by a very talented artist.  Miniatures of this size and in the style of Royal Vienna are not common with 100% hand painted decorations like this one.  The piece in my photos is the actual piece you will receive.  Please be sure to read the “Approximate Dimensions” and “Age and Condition” paragraphs below.

A very attractive and beautifully painted (100% hand-painted) miniature portrait ewer or pitcher that has been in our personal collection since the year 2017.

I find no artist’s signature on this piece.  It is marked on the underside as follows:  There is a blue “RK” mark below a crown and the words “Dresden” and “GERMANY”.  This same “RK” mark is pictured as mark number “1170” on page 162 in the book Marks on German, Bohemian and Austrian Porcelain 1710 to the Present by Robert E. Rontgen and this book states that this mark was used by the Richard Klemm firm, formerly of Dresden, Germany, circa 1888-1916.  Also here are the hand-painted words in red “Erbluht” and “n. A. Asti”.  These refer to the subject of the portrait, which was painted after an original oil painting by the Italian born Parisian artist Angel Asti (1847-1903).   

Since the original Royal Vienna factory closed in 1864 dozens of firms produced their own versions of the decorating style originally produced by this factory in what the following book describes as the “post-1864 private enterprise” period.  My source for this information is the book Godden’s Guide To European Porcelain by Geoffrey Godden from Chapter 5 entitled “Vienna and Vienna-styled Porcelains”.

I want to be clear that this piece is not an original Royal Vienna piece and is decorated in a style similar to the original Royal Vienna factory as described in the previous paragraph.

Many people put great emphasis on the “artist’s signature” or the “mark” on the underside of a piece of porcelain such as this.  However, as experienced collectors of Royal Vienna style porcelain we have come to realize over the years that the marks on the bottom of a piece (such as the “beehive” mark) and the artist signature (like “Wagner”) do not define the piece.  Instead, the style and quality of the decoration and the artistry of the portrait are what really matters.  As reinforcement for our beliefs, according to the beautiful book Hand Painted Porcelain Plates: Nineteenth Century to the Present by Richard Rendall and Elise Abrams “there were no less than sixteen Wagner’s actively painting china in Germany, Austria and Bohemia in the latter part of the nineteenth century” and “Attributions are impossible”.

Regardless, this is a strikingly beautiful and rare miniature piece, with great decoration and in great original condition!  Don’t miss this opportunity to own it.

I do my best to describe all items as accurately as possible and to the best of my ability.  Some of my photos may be somewhat lighter or darker than actual to better show detail or color.  However, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or with requests for additional pictures.  I will get back to you as soon as I am able.  I want your transaction with me to be exactly the way I want mine to be when I am the buyer.

Please take a moment and visit our eBay store “TNK Antiques”.  You can access our store through a link in any of our eBay listings.  Our store has many unique and interesting items in several different categories from 35 years of our dealing and collecting antiques and collectables.

Age and Condition

Circa 1888-1916. 

The ewer is in excellent to near mint original condition.  Please look closely at the photos as they are an important part of my description of this item.  There are some very tiny marks, loss or scratches to woman’s hair in the portrait area – see my photos.  The ewer has no chips, fleabites, cracks, hairlines or repairs.  I see only the very slightest signs of age-related use or wear to the gold trim and no missing beads or other loss to the trim.  I examined the ewer carefully under a black-light and found no evidence of damage or repairs.  Anything else you think you see is a reflection on the very shiny finish of the ewer.  Really in wonderful condition for its age.  Please keep in mind the photos may be blown up at least 8-10 times normal, so anything you see will look 8-10 times larger in the photos than it really is. 

Please note: if you see a dark spot in the photos, it is from my camera and is not a mark on the piece.  It will be either just to the right of center towards the bottom or slightly above center on the right side of the photo.

Approximate Dimensions

The ewer is about 1.75” (4.4 cm) in diameter at the widest point and sits about 2.625” (6.6 cm) off the table at the top of the rim. 

Approximate Weight

About 1 ounce (29 grams).    

SALES TAX

Depending on which state you live in eBay may add State Sales Tax on your purchase.

PAYMENT, SHIPPING, Insurance & PACKAGING

For auctions, if you do not send an instant payment through PayPal, I will send you an invoice within 24 hours of the end of the auction.

PayPal is my preferred method for receiving funds and payment is expected within 3 days of the completion of the auction.  I will normally ship within 1-2 business days of receiving payment in my PayPal account.

Shipment will be via the USPS First Class Mail at no additional shipping cost to the buyer.  A delivery confirmation (provides electronic tracking of the shipment) is included with all domestic shipments paid for through PayPal.  Please take the shipping costs into account when bidding.  If you purchase more than one item, I will do my best to combine shipping costs to save you as much as possible.  If you want your package insured, you must let me know in advance of payment.

This item will be professionally packaged for maximum protection in shipping.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

The only form of payment I accept from international buyers is Pay Pal.  No exceptions!

International shipments will encounter longer shipping times due to distance and Customs requirements.  The USPS says 6-10 business days, but it can take longer.    International buyers are responsible for all customs fees, duties, import taxes or other related customs or import charges and all our out-of-pocket costs incurred in the shipment of packages internationally.

International shipment options will be via USPS First Class Mail (when the item being shipped meets the requirements of that service) or Priority Mail when it does not.

DO NOT ask us to show a lesser value on the Customs Forms than the item sold for, or to ship the item purchased item as a gift.  Ebay requires us to report any buyer to them who requests this.

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