Magnificently decorated porcelain tureen, originally made for Maria Josepha of Austria, wife of King Augustus III of Poland

A magnificently decorated porcelain tureen was created for Maria Josepha of Austria, wife of King Augustus III of Poland. It features double walls and an ornamentally pierced oval-shaped body, supported by four curved legs.
The sides of the tureen are adorned with handles in the form of sculpted female heads with feathered headdresses. The richly sculptural decoration consists of small putti figures connected by garlands of flowers and drapery. On both sides of the tureen are crowned shell cartouches, inside which are depicted Italian cityscapes with figural accessories. The matching lid is decorated with a fully sculpted handle in the form of a royal crown with an imperial orb on cushions, flanked by seated putti. Around the tureen are applied rocaille cartouches, on which are depicted the coats of arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Crown, alternating with the coats of arms of Saxony, accompanied by gallant and hunting scenes. The inner side of the lid is decorated with colorful floral relief. Polychrome painting and rich gilded decoration are present. The inner walls are gilded. The author is possibly Johann Joachim Kändler.

Model No. B 136. Minor restoration. Crossed swords mark. Height 20.5 cm. The present version was created based on the model of the tureen commissioned by Maria Josepha of Austria (1699-1757), wife of King Augustus III of Poland, from Johann Joachim Kändler. This porcelain tureen served for "storing feathers, embroidery, and the like." See Zimmermann, Meissen Porcelain, 1924, p. 140. Ducrey, 18th Century Porcelain, fig. 16, p. 31. A small, magnificently decorated porcelain tureen, originally for Maria Josepha of Austria, wife of King Augustus III of Poland.
Minor restoration.

Crossed swords. Meissen. Late 19th century.