COLOGNE .- Sotheby's is presenting a curated collection of particularly exquisite porcelain at the launch of the 2024 auction season in Cologne: The Ehlen Collection – Eine Rheinische Porzellansammlung. The collection, carefully assembled over several generations in the 19th and 20th centuries, is characterised by its artistic perfection. It is also characterised by its significant and far-reaching scientific breadth: The origin of the objects spans countries and continents and includes various materials, including porcelain, faience, stoneware and glass. Some of the lots have a prestigious aristocratic provenance, while others come from historical European collections.

Dr Herbert van Mierlo, Senior Valuation Expert, Sotheby's Cologne: "According to oral tradition, the foundation of this collection was laid in the 19th century by Carl Eduard Schnitzler, the founder of a Cologne banking family who lived from 1792 to 1864. Over the years, as the family's wealth increased, the collection grew in value.

Since then, the collection of fine porcelain, rare stoneware, faience and glass has been passed on and expanded over several decades. Even though each generation has contributed to the size and quality of the collection with a great deal of expertise and passion, the expansion was cultivated primarily by the family's ancestors in the 20th century."

With a focus on porcelain from the major German manufactories from the 18th century, a time of extremely splendid creativity, the origins of this private collection date back to the 19th century. This is another special feature, especially as the history of German porcelain collecting as a whole only begins around the middle of the 19th century (not including princely collections and those of the high nobility).

Richard Hird, Vice President, Specialist, European Ceramics and Head of Sale, Classic Design, Porcelain & Ceramics, Sotheby's New York: "Regardless of the collecting category, rarity, market freshness, provenance and condition are in demand in every market segment. The Ehlen Collection - Eine Rheinische Porzellansammlung combines all of these criteria and is likely to inspire a knowledgeable audience. Be it European collectors in search of top-quality objects or even institutions interested in rare examples from European manufactories that are available at moderate prices.

But the Rhenish porcelain collection should also provide an appealing offer at attractive prices for new, up-and-coming collectors."

With estimates ranging from €600 to €30,000, The Ehlen Collection - A Rhenish Porcelain Collection is a wonderful opportunity to acquire objects that are aesthetically pleasing, masterfully crafted and fresh to the market. It also exemplifies the taste and tradition of a family of collectors and reflects the history and development of porcelain craftsmanship in Germany.

With around 120 lots, most of which are coming to the market for the first time, the entire collection is estimated at more than €400,000. Both an established and new clientele should be interested in the curated offer, which is offered without reserve, i.e. from one euro upwards, so that the high-quality models and pieces will be included in new collections and thus also find a new home.

In The Ehlen Collection: Eine Rheinische Porzellansammlung, the group of Meissen manufactory, the oldest porcelain manufactory in Europe, predominates and emphasises the high standard of the offer. Some lots come from the Electoral Palatinate manufactory in Frankenthal. The quality and care of the selection runs like a red thread through the offer. The Rhenish porcelain collection is therefore characterised by exquisite craftsmanship, particularly from the 18th century, including rarities from many important manufactories such as Meissen, Höchst, Frankenthal, Ludwigsburg and Fürstenburg, as well as selected examples of Delft and Iznik ceramics.

One of the star lots in the porcelain range is a rare Höchst figure of a parrot perched on a rare high rocaille base. Like the more typical versions in faience, this model has a similar finely painted bright enamel plumage. As the only one of two known examples made of porcelain (typical versions are made of faience), the figure is characterised by its rarity and makes it a sought-after collector's item. In 1984-85 the figurine was exhibited in the Jahrhunderthalle in Höchst. Estimated at €20,000-30,000, the figurine of a parrot from the Höchst porcelain manufactory could delight enthusiasts with a focus on European porcelain who are looking for unique pieces from smaller manufactories.