Splendid imperial vase /T/with view of the "Old... Lot 683

Splendid imperial vase /T/with view of the "Old Palace" in Berlin // so-called "French vase". Raised round base on square, gilded plinth. Ovoid body with cylindrical neck and wide lip rim. Laterally curved handles of bisque porcelain in the shape of griffin heads rising from large-leafed, plastic acanthus. On the obverse side, in a brilliant royal blue background, a gold-engraved medallion of a pipe stem and dense acanthus and laurel branches bound into a wreath, heightened by the German Imperial Crown. In it a view of the palace of the prince and later emperor Wilhelm I of Prussia (so-called "Altes Palais") under the lime trees with hoisted banner and figure staffage, in front of it the monument of Frederick the Great, on the side the National Library. After a steel engraving by Albert Henry Payne (1812-1902) and a drawing by Alexander Carse. Wide acanthus, laurel and oak leaf border all around the wall. On the plinth rectangular reserves with vermicelli ground. Extremely miniature-like fine polychrome and richly etched gold painting. Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Unw. Stains on handles. Sceptre and painting mark. H. 68 cm. /V/Imposing showpieces of this kind with the imperial crown flanked by laurel branches were reserved for the Prussian court and were often awarded with the portrait of Frederick William I of Prussia to high-ranking, "loyal to the emperor" personalities in gratitude for exceptional services. Cf. Ponert, Cat. Berlin Museum, No. 126f., 130; Köllmann/Jarchow, Ill. 50.// /V/A large splendid Imperial porcelain vase with view of the Kaiser Wilhelm place with Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great. Insignificant flaws to the handles. Sceptre and painter's mark.// /T/KPM-Berlin. circa 1870 - 1880.// $P#