PAIR OF GERMAN CERAMIC AND PEWTER STEINS WITH HAND-PAINTED FIGURAL DECORATION - CIRCA 1880-1900

OVERVIEW:
A HANDSOME PAIR OF GERMAN CERAMIC STEINS FEATURING HAND-PAINTED FIGURAL SCENES WITHIN ORNAMENTAL CARTOUCHES, MOUNTED WITH PEWTER LIDS AND HANDLES. THESE STEINS EXEMPLIFY THE DECORATIVE TRADITION OF LATE 19TH-CENTURY GERMAN CERAMICS, COMBINING FUNCTIONAL FORM WITH ARTISTIC EMBELLISHMENT. THE FIGURAL SCENES DEPICT PERIOD FIGURES IN TRADITIONAL DRESS ENGAGED IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, RENDERED IN POLYCHROME ENAMELS AGAINST DARK BLUE-BLACK GROUND PANELS.

SPECIFICATIONS:
CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS:
- PRIMARY MATERIAL: CERAMIC BODY WITH HAND-PAINTED POLYCHROME ENAMEL DECORATION
- SECONDARY MATERIALS: PEWTER HINGED LIDS WITH DECORATIVE FINIALS, PEWTER HANDLES WITH SCROLLED TERMINALS, BRASS BANDING AT NECK AND BASE
- DECORATION: HAND-PAINTED FIGURAL SCENES IN CARTOUCHES WITH GILT FOLIATE SCROLLWORK, ORNAMENTAL BANDING IN GILT AND BLACK ENAMEL

DIMENSIONS:
- HEIGHT: 28 CM
- DIAMETER AT BASE: APPROXIMATELY 11 CM

FIGURAL DECORATION:
EACH STEIN FEATURES A CENTRAL CARTOUCHE CONTAINING A HAND-PAINTED SCENE OF PERIOD FIGURES IN TRADITIONAL GERMAN COSTUME. THE FIGURES ARE RENDERED IN NATURALISTIC POLYCHROME ENAMELS WITH CAREFUL ATTENTION TO COSTUME DETAIL AND FACIAL FEATURES. THE SCENES ARE FRAMED BY ORNAMENTAL GILT SCROLLWORK AND FOLIATE BORDERS. THE UPPER AND LOWER REGISTERS FEATURE DECORATIVE BANDING IN GILT AND BLACK ENAMEL, CREATING VISUAL RHYTHM AND BALANCE.

CONDITION ASSESSMENT:
BOTH STEINS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION CONSISTENT WITH AGE AND USE. THE CERAMIC BODIES ARE STRUCTURALLY SOUND WITH NO SIGNIFICANT CHIPS OR CRACKS. THE HAND-PAINTED DECORATION REMAINS LARGELY INTACT, THOUGH SOME COLOUR FADING IS EVIDENT, PARTICULARLY TO THE UPPER DECORATIVE REGISTERS. THIS FADING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE AGE OF THE PIECES AND DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THEIR OVERALL AESTHETIC APPEAL. THE PEWTER LIDS DISPLAY THE NATURAL PATINA AND OXIDATION EXPECTED OF PERIOD METALWORK AND HAVE NOT BEEN AGGRESSIVELY CLEANED OR POLISHED. THE HINGES FUNCTION SMOOTHLY. THE HANDLES ARE SECURELY ATTACHED AND SHOW NO SIGNS OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THE BRASS BANDING EXHIBITS AGE-RELATED DISCOLOURATION AND PATINA.

PROVENANCE AND ATTRIBUTION:
THESE STEINS ARE CONSISTENT WITH GERMAN CERAMIC PRODUCTION OF THE 1880-1900 PERIOD, LIKELY PRODUCED IN ONE OF THE MAJOR GERMAN POTTERY CENTRES SUCH AS METTLACH, VILLEROY AND BOCH, OR A COMPARABLE REGIONAL MANUFACTURER. THE QUALITY OF THE HAND-PAINTED FIGURAL WORK AND THE PRECISION OF THE PEWTER MOUNTING SUGGEST PRODUCTION BY AN ESTABLISHED MANUFACTURER RATHER THAN A SMALLER WORKSHOP. NO MAKER'S MARK IS CLEARLY VISIBLE ON THE BASES IN THE AVAILABLE PHOTOGRAPHS, THOUGH THE BASES SHOULD BE EXAMINED UNDER MAGNIFICATION FOR ANY IMPRESSED OR PAINTED MARKS.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
GERMAN CERAMIC STEINS OF THIS PERIOD WERE PRODUCED IN CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY FOR BOTH DOMESTIC USE AND EXPORT MARKETS. THE COMBINATION OF FUNCTIONAL FORM WITH ARTISTIC DECORATION MADE THEM POPULAR BOTH AS EVERYDAY DRINKING VESSELS AND AS DECORATIVE OBJECTS. THE HAND-PAINTED FIGURAL SCENES OFTEN DEPICTED SCENES OF GERMAN SOCIAL LIFE, TRADITIONAL COSTUME, OR HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, SERVING AS VISUAL RECORDS OF PERIOD CULTURE AND AESTHETICS. STEINS OF THIS QUALITY AND DECORATION WERE VALUED POSSESSIONS IN MIDDLE-CLASS GERMAN HOUSEHOLDS AND REMAIN HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE TODAY.

COMPARABLE MARKET:


Item Size: Height: 31cm, Width: 25cm, Depth: 30cm, Weight: 3Kg

Condition: Good

TOORMINA
548763+8

** This Auction is ONLINE VIEWING and SHIPPING ONLY **

LLOYDS VERIFIED We take immense pride in offering you this genuine item, which exemplifies exceptional quality. It is important to note that while this is an authentic product, in rare cases provenance may be unknown or aftermarket items may have been added to enhance its overall appeal and uniqueness. We value transparency and strive to provide you with accurate information, ensuring that you are fully informed about the product you are considering. Rest assured, our commitment to offering genuine products remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to your utmost satisfaction with your purchase.