1710-1717 JOHANN BOTTGER Stoneware Baluster Coffee Pot Start Price USD 11,111.11 Current Price USD 11,111.11 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 01, 2008 End Time Friday, October 10, 2008 Location Spring, Texas See more about '1710-1717 JOHANN BOTTGER Stoneware Baluster Coffee Pot' Description Antique c. 1710 - 1717 Johann Bottger Red-Brown Stoneware Hand Painted Baluster Coffee Pot, HAUSMALER  (HAUSMELERIE)? Look at this ! Don't miss it! Here is a wonderful early piece of Meissen red-brown stoneware. It has an exquisite  design, with incredible hand painted and gilt Classical decorations, depicting what we believe are theatrical masksIt is finely made of wheel polished red-brown stoneware of superior quality. This material is known as "Bottger Stoneware" and was produced only between 1710 - 1717, thus the surviving pieces are scarce and not often seen on the market Being one of the greatest collectors of oriental porcelain, Augustus Rex (The Strong), King of Poland and Elector of Saxony (1670-1733) established a ceramics factory in Meissen, near Dresden, attempting to produce "true porcelain". By that time Chinese and Japanese porcelain was in great demand throughout Europe and attempts (unfortunately failing) of its imitation were not uncommon. In the newly founded plant, Augustus The Strong "hired" (actually imprisoned) an young and gifted alchemist, named Johann Friedrich Bottger (1683-1719) to carry out secret experiments to discover the mystery of the "true porcelain". In the course of these experiments Bottger discovered the secret of making red-brown stoneware of the type used in Chinese Yinxing wares. Today this material is known as "Bottger Stoneware". Extremely hard and dense, this could be well polished on a wheel, as it is clearly seen in the offered exampleThis very coffee pot has the characteristic baluster shape of a silver pot, illustrating the debt to metalwork typical for porcelain and pottery of the periodThe hand painted and gilt Classical decorations are clearly influenced by Antiquity - an artistic movement very typical for the period as well. They were most likely done in the factory, but not impossible to be Hausmaler (Hausmelerie) - a term used for porcelains decorated by independent artists and ateliers, practice which flourished in the first half of the 18th Century. These painters and gilders decorated in their own workshops blank (undecorated) porcelain and stoneware pieces, purchased in bulk from factories as Meissen and Vienna. The quality of their artistic work often rivaled and even surpassed that of the factoriesMarked on the bottom with an incised reversed "S" and another mark, which we cannot quite make out, please see photosMeasurements: Approx. 7.25" high, 5" handle to spout Condition: Excellent overall; Definitely no chips, flakes, hairlines of other defects what so ever. Wonderful patina, developed over time. A truly SPECTACULAR piece!!!Please e-mail us for additional photos or information that can give you a better idea about this beautiful piece We Will Combine Shipping When Possible For Your Convenience! Local Pickups Are Welcome Please, take a look at the other items we have on sale now. Click here to visit our other auctions! Please, visit our eBay Store! We will add new listings at least once weekly, so be sure to drop in! You never know what you might find! If you do not agree with any price, let us know your suggestion. We guarantee not to pass up any reasonable offer! Also, if you are not sure about an item, feel free to ask us as many questions, as you want!     The buyer is responsible for the actual shipping cost.  No handling charges. We accept personal checks, money orders and credit cards through PayPal     We describe the items with the best of our knowledge and ability, so to avoid any misunderstanding, and in case of any doubt, please e-mail us. We will be glad to answer all your questions and to provide additional photos and information Take a look at the other items we have for sale now and please keep visiting Thank you! Get Skype and call me for free.     Powered by eBay Turbo Lister                                   Powered by eBay Turbo Lister Place a Bid!