Very large antique German hand-painted porcelain vase by KPM

Very large antique German hand-painted porcelain vase by KPM
German, c. 1840
Height 170cm, diameter 65cm
 
This remarkable and very large porcelain vase was created by the renowned Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) - one of the most respected European porcelain manufacturers of the 18th and 19th centuries.
 
Dating to approximately 1840, the piece was initially produced in white porcelain (whiteware), then richly enhanced with a soft blue ground, meticulously decorated with gilded star motifs. This elegant celestial pattern extends over the flared neck and reappears in various sections of the vase. The neck is bordered with a repeating frieze of stylised red and gold classical elements, further elevating its refined appearance. The rim and spreading socle base are finished with gilt relief patterns, skilfully echoing the decorative themes found on the neck.
 
A distinctive feature of this antique is the use of unglazed high-relief bands, which wrap around the body of the vase. These raised motifs - comprised of intricate leaf forms and botanical symbols - were produced using an advanced technique. Craftsmen coated specific areas with wax during the firing process to prevent the glaze from settling on the raised surfaces, resulting in a beautiful contrast between glazed and matte textures.
 
The main body showcases two exceptional hand-painted cartouches inspired by mythological scenes. One side illustrates ‘Apollo and His Sun Chariot’ after a work by Friedrich Heinrich Füger (1751–1818), while the opposite panel presents ‘Aurora and Cephalus’ drawn from Agostino Carracci’s 1597 fresco in the famed Palazzo Farnese in Rome. Each scene is enclosed within a gilt Greek key frame, adorned with decorative garlands and ornate gold details that enhance the classical elegance.
 
On the underside, the vase bears the blue sceptre mark used by KPM between 1837 and 1844. From 1803, the manufactory typically included a secondary mark to indicate in-house painting. The absence of this additional mark on this piece implies that the decoration was likely executed by a skilled independent porcelain painter, commissioned for their expertise, a common practice among prestigious orders of the period.
 
Only one other vase of this model is currently known. That version, which remains undecorated, is part of the Berlin City Museum Foundation’s collection and is presently on display at the KPM exhibition in Berlin.
 
A testament to KPM’s legacy of craftsmanship and artistic excellence, this exquisite vase blends classical mythology, refined technique, and exceptional form. It would make a standout centrepiece in any fine art or porcelain collection.
 
Artist/Maker: KPM (Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur)