CIRCA 1740-1745

This flask and cover form part of the extensive and lavishly decorated toilet service named for Schloss Glücksburg, the Renaissance castle in Schleswig-Holstein where fourteen of its components are held, although it is unclear when they joined the Schloss Glücksburg Collection, or for whom the Meissen manufactory originally produced the service in the 18^th century. The set was possibly supplied to the Grand Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, although it is also possible that it could have been instead in the possession of the Kings of Denmark. Schloss Glücksburg itself was in the possession of the Danish throne until 1871, when its ownership was transferred to the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, as a result of the German-Danish war. The Duke brought furnishings from Schloss Ballenstedt with him, and it is possible that the toilet service came to the castle with this collection.

In his article on the Glücksburg service, published in Keramos in 1990, Hermann Jedding describes each type of toilet item present at Schloss Glücksburg, including the castle’s four flasks and covers of identical shape to the present lot. Jedding writes that each flask almost certainly once contained water perfumed with a fragrance such as lavender or rose, and notes that their unusual spade- or axehead-form profile is unknown outside of this service. Jedding demonstrates that the Glücksburg service shares some common shapes and a near-identical scheme of gilding with the celebrated 'Green Watteau' armorial service containing articles for coffee, tea, dining and the toilet, ordered in 1745 by Maria Josepha, Queen of Poland and Electress of Saxony, as a gift for her daughter, Maria Amalia Christina, Queen of Naples and Sicily, which was delivered to the latter on 27 February, 1748. For a full discussion of the service, see H. Jedding, 'Eine Meissener Toilette-Garnitur in Schloss Glücksburg', Keramos 130, October 1990, pp. 3-16.

An oval box from the Glücksburg service was offered by Sotheby's, London, 5 April 2002, lot 58. A tapering baluster brush-handle was sold by Christie’s, London, 8 July 2002, lot 104, and a tapering box and cover, from the estate of Max Hoffmann, was sold by Christie’s, London, 21 Nov 2005, lot 45, and again by Christie's, New York, 18 October 2017, lot 748. A shaped bowl and cover from the service were sold from the Brigitte Britzke Collection, Bad Pyrmont, by Bonhams, London, 14 December 2016, lot 101.