Hochst mark in manganese with wheel and G:S for Gehrard Sommerlath; the other fruit with incised marks R and Z. Made of Japanese lacquer, earthenware and porcelain, with chiseled and gilded bronze mounts, the lively top supporting three fruits in two parts with hinges: an orange Hochst earthenware and a porcelain apple concealing the cups, and a lemon in porcelain, among applied branches of later porcelain flowers. 

6 1/2 x 15 ¾ x 9 3/4 in. 

Christie's catalogue note: The fervor for "Chinese" objects in the eighteenth century was largely initiated by merchants of luxury objects. Many of them assembled porcelain elements of various origins with oriental lacquer trays to create precious objects for serving hot drinks, travel or writing. The merchant-haberdasher Bosseux had in his stock European lacquer trays intended to create "cabarets" of all kinds. Duvaux and Delahoguette mixed elements of oriental lacquer with European porcelain cups and saucers. The imitation of oriental porcelain by European manufactures began at the beginning of the 18th century, when Meissen was created in 1710, and the haberdashers often tried to deceive a still ill-informed public. (C. Sargentson, Merchants and Luxury Markets, London, 1996, p.73).

The inkwell is partly from the Louis XV period. Two lids restored and the fruits pierced to be mounted, with old restorations, chips and splinters. Chips to the ceramic flowers. Several ceramic flowers detached but retained. Scattered nicks, wear, and an age split to lacquered wood base. Numerous losses to the ormolu leaves. Scattered staining and pitting to the ormolu throughout. 

Notwithstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.