Beschreibung:

Unique plaque du Nouvel An 1931 en grès Böttger, Meissen, circa 1930 A documentary Meissen Böttger stoneware New Year Plaque for 1931, circa 1930Unnumbered example Modelled by Paul Scheurich with incised signature on the reverse 'Scheurich', of rectangular form moulded in low relief and lightly polished, depicting two duelling Italian Comedy figures holding their swords crossed below the date along the top edge '1931' and above 'MEISSEN' flanked by crossed swords with dots/ 'SEINEN/ FREUNDEN' the bottom edge inscribed 'SCHEURICH nach CALLOT', 17.6cm by 11cm, impressed crossed swords with dot and 'VON 100/ AUSFORMUNGEN/ No', incised signature 'Scheurich'FootnotesProvenance: Dr. William Funk (1879-1945), chemist and production manager at the Meissen manufactory until 1939 Literature: Rafael 1995a, ill. 47.2 Exhibited: Meissen, Schauhalle der Staatlichen Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen, Paul Scheurich 1883-1945 Porzellane für die Meissener Manufaktur, 21 September 1995-10 January 1996; Meissen, Museum der Meissen Porzellan-Stiftung, Paul Scheurich Porzellangestalter Zeichner Grafiker, 6 March 2020-21 February 2021 New Year's Plaques were gifts from the Meissen manufactory to its friends and supporters. Max Adolf Pfieffer initiated the tradition in 1918-19 (lot 23): the plaques were designed by leading artists and intended to demonstrate exceptional quality of the Meissen manufactory. Max Adolf Pfeiffer commissioned this plaque from Scheurich at the end of October 1930 and it was delivered four weeks later. To Pfeiffer's initial surprise, Scheurich omitted the "Pfeiffer mark" - the dot between the tips of the swords. The plaques were produced in an edition of 100: half in biscuit porcelain and half in stoneware. A handful of further, unnumbered examples were given to manufactory employees.