Ilmenau Thuringian Porcelain Asparagus Box & Cover

Late Georgian

Circa 1792–1800 | Germany

An antique eighteenth century porcelain asparagus box and cover. Beautifully and naturalistically modelled as a bundle of colourful asparagus tied with a blue ribbon. A wonderful representation of the magnificent fascination and creativity that embodied trompe-l'oeil ceramics in the eighteenth century (see The Gen). Delightfully coloured in hues of purple/pink, green, cream and blue.

In contrast to many similar pieces of this type from the period, the maker can be identified due to the mark under the cover. The asparagus box and cover were made between 1792–1800 by Friedrich Christian Nonne at Ilmenau (see The Gen). The years from 1792 to 1808 when Nonne leased the factory have been described as the most successful period.

DIMENSIONS: Length 16 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Under the cover, marked with script ‘i’ in underglaze blue. This mark was used between 1792 and around 1800, introduced by Fredrich Christian Nonne as the first mark for this factory. For a reference to the mark see The Concise Encyclopedia of Continental Pottery and Porcelain, Reginald G. Haggar, Hawthorn Books Inc., 1960, p. 233.

CONDITION: The box is in very good condition with wear consistent with an antique age and use. There are a couple of firing cracks from manufacture inside the box. Some minor enamel loss where the lid has rubbed but this is not evident when the box is closed. There is a reglue to the bow on top of the lid and a chip to the lid as is often found on these items.

REFERENCES: For an example of similar asparagus box see Sotheby’s, 10 November 2006, Lot 642.

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THE GEN

Trompe l’oeil, which from French to English literally translates as to ‘fool the eye’, became the inspiration for the most wondrous genre of pottery in the eighteenth century, that of Trompe l’oeil ceramics. The ‘Age of Enlightenment’ during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries saw exchange of goods and ideas, and the exploration of the world on a scale never seen before. It was a period of wonderful discovery, with new animal and botanical discoveries, and an array of worldly exotic goods finding their way to Britain and the European continent for the first time.

For the British and European elite of the eighteenth century, dinner parties were an extravagant event. A theatrical performance intended to thoroughly delight, and especially, impress, their chosen guests. The worldly delights new discoveries had brought home provided one element of dinner party entertainment; the other talking point was provided by the fantastical Trompe l’oeil dinner ware. The naturalistic detail and fantastical nature of these objects, especially by candlelight, was intended to spark conversation, humour and wonder at the dinner table. Guests would handle and enjoy the amazing detail and craftsmanship of tureens modelled as a chicken, rabbit, or exotic bird, a box modelled as asparagus, or a sugar bowl disguised as a watermelon.

One can only imagine just how wondrous these dinner parties must have been those several hundred years ago, for even today, handling and enjoying a piece of Trompe l’oeil ceramic is a truly captivating experience. Perhaps the final word should go to Mrs Carter writing to her friend Miss Talbot on December 20, 1765: “I have been busy contriving a dinner for a dozen people, which is always a very serious consideration for me … Most folks consider first, I suppose, how dinner will eat; but my first and last thought is, how it will look.” (A Series of Letters Between Mrs Elizabeth Carter and Miss Catherine Talbot From the Year 1741 to 1770, In Four Volumes. Vol. III, F.C. and J. Rivington, 1800, p. 132)

“Ilmenau, Thuringia, Germany. Christian Zacharias Grabner founded a hard paste porcelain factory in 1777 after obtaining a concession from Duke Karl August of Weimar but it did not flourish and, in 1782 the Duke took over. Gotthelf Greiner took the factory lease for six years in 1786 and cleared the factory debt, but did not continue after the lease expired. Christian Nonne took it over in 1792 and, in 1808 bought it outright.” (The Concise Encyclopedia of Continental Pottery and Porcelain, Reginald G. Haggar, Hawthorn Books Inc., 1960, p. 230)

“A significant part of French majolica manufactories in eastern France, consisted of trompe l’oeil asparagus plates and serving cradles. The reason for this may be the German fondness for asparagus; Germans are the world’s leading consumers of the delicacy.” (Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, Marilyn G. Karmason with Joan B. Stacke, Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1989, p. 180)

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