Beschreibung:

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT GERMAN SILVER-GILT CADINETT Dated 1718, unmarked, attributed to Gottlieb Mentzel, Augsburg Shaped rectangular, on four paw feet, the flat tray with raised moulded reeded border, the front with shaped corners, the back with right-angled corners and with applied three compartment rectangular box, the square outer compartments fitted with shallow wells, and flanking a central rectangular container, each with hinged cover with raised conical centre surmounted by a baluster finial, the tray engraved with coat-of-arms on ermine mantling beneath a crown, the reverse engraved No. 6 over Ao. 1718 21.2 cm. (8 3/8 in.) wide 24.5 cm. (9¾ in.) deep 7.5 cm. (3 in.) high 1172 gr. (37 oz.) The arms are those of Poland quartering those of Lithuania, with those of the Archmarshalship of the Holy Roman Empire impaling those of Saxony on an escutcheon of pretence under an electoral bonnet, as borne by Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony and, as Augustus II, King of Poland, known as 'the Strong' on account of his immense physical stature and prowess. Augustus was the second son of John George III, Elector of Saxony, and was born in Dresden in 1670. He was not brought up to rule, but spent his early years travelling widely and fighting against the French until, on the sudden death of his brother in 1694, he became Elector of Saxony. When John Sobieski died in 1696, he converted to Catholicism - a step strongly resented by his Saxon subjects - in order to further his chances of becoming King of Poland. By prompt action in entering the country, and lavish expenditure, he was duly elected King in September 1697. Augustus's tastes were extravagant and luxurious. 'To impress his dinner guests, he would pick up two of his state trumpeters ... and hold them out at arm's length while they played a fanfare'. It was said that he kept a harem of beautiful women, and the Margravine of Bayreuth calculated that at his death he left 354 bastards. Among his descendants were Louis XVI and George Sand His wife, Christine Eberhardine, one of the Hohenzollern family, left him after his conversion to Catholicism, leaving him only one legitimate son, the Electoral Crown Prince. Augustus devoted much of his time to improving the city of Dresden, continued by his son, and was instrumental in the development of the Meissen porcelain factory. It was said of Augustus that he was 'Lutheran by birth, Catholic by ambition and Mahometan in his habits'. He died in 1733 after a drinking bout.