Magnificent royal matte midnight blue porcelain vase with a portrait of Wilhelm I

Biscuit porcelain, partially glazed. Profiled, square base with gold vermicelli decoration. On a rectangular pedestal—a foot with a protruding, profiled round base, ovoid body with a cylindrical neck, and a curved, profiled rim. Two opposite, curved S-shaped handles with acanthus leaf motifs. Matte midnight-blue background, partially sprinkled with gold drops. On the front, gold is engraved in a medallion design, crowned with the royal crown of Prussia, containing a bust portrait of Wilhelm I of Prussia in the uniform of the Prussian king, with a row of the highest Prussian orders and decorations, including the Order of Merit and the sash and star of the Order of the Black Eagle. Polychrome painting. Rich gilding with gold engravings. The foot and neck with an adjacent wreath of oak leaves. Model 1606 "Flower Vase with Decorated Handle"; on the lower part of the vase there is an old paper label with handwritten French text, stating: "Gift from Emperor Wilhelm I (to Countess) Claire d'Yve on the occasion of the wedding (of the Count and Countess) of Flanders in 1867" (attached after the imperial coronation). The base with a monogram in old German script. Symbols of the scepter and coin mark, as well as the painting mark. Vase height: 48 cm. Base height: 8.5 cm. 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm. This is a court gift from the late Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia on the occasion of the wedding of Prince Philippe of Belgium (1837–1905), the so-called Count of Flanders and third son of Leopold I, King of Belgium, to Marie Louise Alexandra Caroline of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1845–1912) in the Catholic Cathedral of St. Hedwig in Berlin. This marriage was arranged by Queen Victoria of England. Marie Louise, daughter of Princess Josephine of Baden and Prince Karl Anton of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, became Countess of Flanders. According to the inscription, this vase was presented to Countess Claire d'Yve, who was a lady-in-waiting to Marie Louise of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Such magnificent vases with the king's portrait were given by order of Wilhelm I of Prussia on important occasions or as a token of appreciation as a personal gift. At the time this magnificent vase was presented in 1867, Wilhelm I was still King of Prussia, before being crowned German Emperor in 1871. See Ponert: Berlin Museum Catalogue, Applied Arts I/Ceramics, Fig. No. 126 (form), 130 (magnificent vase with portrait of Wilhelm I as Emperor); Collection of the Stadtmuseum Berlin, K G K 68/19. Provenance: From the property of the late Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia for the wedding of the Count and Countess of Flanders with Countess Claire d'Yve; from the family's descendants. Magnificent royal matte midnight-blue porcelain vase with a portrait of Wilhelm I as Kaiser, KPM-Berlin. Circa 1867.