Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, Jul 09, 2016
VIENNA ROYAL PORCELAIN FACTORY HAND-PAINTED PLATES Vienna Royal Porcelain Factory, Vienna. Made circa 1740. A set of 4 of hand-painted Austrian porcelain plates: Motifs with goddess surrounded by a cherub and a fairy, a prince courting a lady with a cherub, Napoleon II, and dancing girls and a cherub. In very good overall condition, one with metal wall mounting brackets. VIENNA ROYAL PORCELAIN Manufacture was founded in 1718 as a new porcelain factory by a Dutchman CLAUDIUS INNOCENTIUS DU PAQUIER. Special privileges and monopoly on the production of porcelain in Austria were given by EMPEROR CHARLES VL for 25 years. At the end of the monopoly in 1744, Innocentius experienced financial difficulties, leaving him with no choice but to sell the factory to the Emperor. The factory was then taken over by MARIA THERESA who contributed to the growth of the company by inviting well-known masters of the time.