{"product_id":"schale-aus-dem-damaskus-service-kaiser-wilhelm-ii-datiert-1906","title":"Bowl from the Damascus Service, Kaiser Wilhelm II, dated 1906","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeneral Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003ebowl from the Damascus Service for Emperor Wilhelm II.\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated \u003cstrong\u003e1906\u003c\/strong\u003e, originates from one of the most exclusive and representative porcelain services of the \u003cstrong\u003eKönigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Between \u003cstrong\u003e1903 and 1915\u003c\/strong\u003e, this service was commissioned by the Emperor and served as an expression of imperial elegance and diplomatic representation at official occasions and receptions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, the \u003cstrong\u003eDamascus Service\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the \u003cstrong\u003erarest porcelain series of the Imperial era\u003c\/strong\u003e. While individual \u003cstrong\u003eplates\u003c\/strong\u003e occasionally appear on the art market, \u003cstrong\u003ebowls\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003esalad plates\u003c\/strong\u003e like this example are extremely rare and particularly sought after. The bowl offered here is made of \u003cstrong\u003ewhite glazed porcelain\u003c\/strong\u003e, with fine craftsmanship and preserved in \u003cstrong\u003every good condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe underside bears the classic \u003cstrong\u003eunderglaze blue scepter mark\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003ered orb mark\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eKPM Berlin\u003c\/strong\u003e, both with dating. The dimensions are \u003cstrong\u003ediameter: 21 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eheight: 5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e – ideal for museum presentation or high-quality collections.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Inspiration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe name \u003cstrong\u003e\"Damascus Service\"\u003c\/strong\u003e is demonstrably linked to \u003cstrong\u003eEmperor Wilhelm II's journey to the Orient in 1898\u003c\/strong\u003e. During this trip, the monarch received a \u003cstrong\u003eChinese famille-rose bowl\u003c\/strong\u003e as a diplomatic gift – an object that later served as a \u003cstrong\u003emodel for the new imperial court service\u003c\/strong\u003e at the \u003cstrong\u003eKönigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM)\u003c\/strong\u003e. The original Chinese template shows \u003cstrong\u003eoverlapping lotus petals\u003c\/strong\u003e, a motif with \u003cstrong\u003eBuddhist symbolism\u003c\/strong\u003e, which KPM adopted and further developed. It was supplemented by \u003cstrong\u003ecartouche-like fields\u003c\/strong\u003e filled with \u003cstrong\u003ebotanical motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the service its characteristic blend of \u003cstrong\u003eOriental aesthetics\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eEuropean plant iconography\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecor \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDamascus Service\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the \u003cstrong\u003eart historically most sophisticated KPM services\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Imperial era. It combines \u003cstrong\u003epurple and green tones\u003c\/strong\u003e in the style of East Asian \u003cstrong\u003efamille-rose porcelains\u003c\/strong\u003e with \u003cstrong\u003egilded chrysanthemums\u003c\/strong\u003e and large-scale \u003cstrong\u003elotus petals\u003c\/strong\u003e on the rim. In the center of many plates, there are \u003cstrong\u003efinely painted botanical studies\u003c\/strong\u003e, such as depictions of \u003cstrong\u003edandelions\u003c\/strong\u003e or exotic plants. Between \u003cstrong\u003e1903 and 1905\u003c\/strong\u003e, over \u003cstrong\u003e900 plant designs\u003c\/strong\u003e were created specifically for this service – including \u003cstrong\u003eEuropean\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eAsian\u003c\/strong\u003e, and partly \u003cstrong\u003efantastical plant motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e. This diversity makes the Damascus Service an outstanding example of the combination of \u003cstrong\u003eKPM craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebotanical illustration\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eimperial representation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Service à la russe\" – Meaning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe addition \u003cstrong\u003e\"à la russe\"\u003c\/strong\u003e describes the \u003cstrong\u003eserving style\u003c\/strong\u003e, not the decor. In this form of table arrangement, dishes are \u003cstrong\u003eserved course by course\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the platters \u003cstrong\u003epresented by staff\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than placed centrally on the table. Around \u003cstrong\u003e1900\u003c\/strong\u003e, this serving style was considered \u003cstrong\u003emodern\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003erepresentative\u003c\/strong\u003e, and particularly suitable for \u003cstrong\u003estate banquets\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eimperial receptions\u003c\/strong\u003e. The \u003cstrong\u003eDamascus Service à la russe\u003c\/strong\u003e was used precisely for these occasions and was an important element of \u003cstrong\u003ecourtly cultural staging\u003c\/strong\u003e under Wilhelm II.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsage \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first large delivery of the Damascus Service comprised \u003cstrong\u003e530 dinner plates\u003c\/strong\u003e, which were invoiced on \u003cstrong\u003eJanuary 26, 1904\u003c\/strong\u003e, for \u003cstrong\u003e9,540 Marks\u003c\/strong\u003e – an impressive testament to the scope and significance of this court commission. The service was initially used in the \u003cstrong\u003eNew Palace in Potsdam\u003c\/strong\u003e before it arrived at \u003cstrong\u003eHuis Doorn in 1919\u003c\/strong\u003e, where Wilhelm II went into exile after his abdication. After the Emperor's death in \u003cstrong\u003e1941\u003c\/strong\u003e, the majority of the service was transferred to \u003cstrong\u003eHohenzollern Castle\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, plates, platters, and sauce boats from the \u003cstrong\u003eDamascus Service\u003c\/strong\u003e are among the \u003cstrong\u003emost coveted collector's items\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eKPM Berlin\u003c\/strong\u003e. They regularly appear at \u003cb\u003emajor auction houses\u003c\/b\u003e and specialized art dealers and are considered key works of \u003cstrong\u003eimperial porcelain art\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis object combines \u003cstrong\u003eimperial provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eartistic craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical significance\u003c\/strong\u003e – a true highlight for collectors of \u003cstrong\u003eKPM porcelain\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eImperial era dinnerware\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003erepresentative objects of German history\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KAISER WILHELM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51323583529297,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0940\/4461\/9089\/files\/05-antique-Damascus-Service-Plate-Kaiser-Wilhelm-II_2713fa52-127b-4830-87ad-33d8338a22b0.jpg?v=1750954970","url":"https:\/\/www.kaiser-wilhelm.shop\/en\/products\/schale-aus-dem-damaskus-service-kaiser-wilhelm-ii-datiert-1906","provider":"KAISER WILHELM","version":"1.0","type":"link"}