LONDON.- A pair of stunning ice pails (d.1830) is one of the highlights of the upcoming Fine European Ceramics and Glass sale at Bonhams on 12th December at New Bond Street, London (estimate £8,000-£12,000).

The pails depict scenes from the Palais Royal and the Château de Neuilly and were part of the ‘Service pittoresque’ ordered by King Louis Philippe of France (1773–1850) and given to his daughter, Queen Louise of Belgium, in 1832. Though Philippe fled France as a young man and spent over 20 years in exile he was proclaimed King in 1830. Philippe was the last King of France and after he abdicated in 1848 he lived out the rest of his life in exile in Surrey, England.

These ice pails were believed to be lost until they recently surfaced at Bonhams and have now come to auction for the first time. The scenes on the pails are exceptionally well painted and detailed, and the service originally included 100 plates.

Nette Megens, Specialist in the European Ceramics department commented: ‘These ice pails represent an important rediscovery of the largest pieces from the service given by Louis Philippe to his daughter. The sale on 12th December is a fabulous opportunity to purchase ceramics made for French aristocrats in the first half of the 19th Century.’

Other notable lots include a rare Nymphenburg white chinoiserie figure (estimate £25,000-£35,000) and a Sèvres plate from the ‘Service Marly rouge’ made for Napoleon I (estimate £10,000-£15,000).