LONDON.- On 9th June 2015, Sotheby’s will present a sale combining two outstanding private collections. Dresden and Venice have long been hubs of creativity inspiring craftsmen, painters, architects, writers, and artisans, and will now meet in the galleries of Sotheby’s London. This sale offers an insight into two collectors' personal affinity to the decorative arts and embodies the essence of each city. From Dresden we find superlative porcelain which allows us to experience the frivolous imagination and ingenuity of Meissen, and the leading ceramic manufactories of 18th century Europe. From Venice, a colourful and exemplary mix of eighteenth century Italian pieces, paired with 20th century works accented by Murano glassware.

DRESDEN
Dresden was the heart of the 18th century world of porcelain collecting where this elusive material was considered to be as valuable as gold and other precious objects. Augustus II, the Strong, Elector of Saxony, born in Dresden, developed the city as a cultural epicentre of the Arts, and it is under his influence that the importance and allure of porcelain flourished. This collection illustrates the long-standing desire to own the most magnificent ceramic forms.

MEISSEN
When one thinks of 18th century porcelain the mind usually jumps straight to the superb forms of the 300 year old famous manufacturer Meissen. This German private collection comprising exquisite Meissen examples allows us to see fully the true breadth of imagination of the chief decorator Johann Gregorius Höroldt. The viewer is taken into a world of curious unknown landscapes, amusing oriental figures in vibrant costumes, luscious exotic flora, mysterious lurking creatures, birds and insects; such as an extremely rare coffee pot decorated with a mystical harbour landscape estimated at £40,000-50,000 (lot 15, €56,00070,000).

This collection has fine examples of pieces with royal provenance. Meissen pieces are known for their prestigious quality so were perfect for diplomatic gifts to neighbouring states, and the much coveted secret recipe of ‘true’ porcelain and all its associated riches was the envy of much of Europe. This sale will present a beaker and saucer from the service for Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden, circa 1732 (lot 9, est. £12,00018,000/ €16,800-25,200), and a plate decorated with elegant figures on horseback from the service presented to King Frederick V of Denmark when he came to the throne (lot 20, est. £3,500-4,500/ €4,900-6,300).

NYMPHENBURG PORCELAIN AND BUSTELLI
A highlight in the collection are two important coloured figures modelled by Franz Anton Bustelli in crica 1760 of Lalage and Pierrot from the Commedia dell’Arte, fully encompassing the spirit of the time where young lovers became the centre of a vivid plot. Bustelli was one of the most important creators of porcelain in Germany, creating approximately 150 groups and figures which rarely come up for auction today as most are to be found in museums and collections. The sale presents two figures, part of a group of sixteen, which are deemed to be the most important work of the artist. These figures come from the Nymphenburg porcelain manufactory which was the first of its kind in Bavaria, established in 1747, and both have an estimate of £80,000-120,000 (lots 29, 30, €112,000-168,000).

VENICE
From a charming Venetian Palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal comes a collection which spans over two centuries of European art history through unique textures, mediums, forms, colour and motifs providing a fascinating visual language. This collection demonstrates the discerning eye of a decorative arts collector with an array of carved giltwood mirrors and console tables, Venetian Rococo dining chairs with fantasy chinoiserie, walnut commodes, Oriental and European ceramics, tapestries and carpets, appropriately incorporating that essential Venetian component - kaleidoscopic Murano glass.

MURANO GLASS
This sale is punctuated by pieces of Murano glass, spearheaded by a magnificent late 19th century mirror (lot 141, est. £15,000-20,000/ €21,000-34,900) decorated with profuse swags of polychrome flowers which is extremely rare to find, as this type of virtuosity is typically found on chandeliers. The collection additionally presents a stunning set of 1940s Murano stemware estimated at £2,000-3,000. (lot 144, €16,800-25,200)

GRAND TOUR SOUVENIRS
A highlight of the sale is a wonderful 17th century Florentine pietre dure table top estimated at £80,000-120,000 (lot 135). Hardstone table tops became highly prized sophisticated collectors, courts and Grand Tourists throughout Europe and this example depicts an elaborate composition of fruiting swags, flowers and birds of fruiting branches, inspired by the naturalistic designs of Medici court painter Jacopo Ligozzi (c.1547-1627).

EUROPEAN TAPESTIRES
The visual language and textures of the collections are further enriched by some wonderful tapestries including a Flemish 16th century Oudenaarde Large Leaf Wild Park tapestry (Lot 123, est. £50,000-80,000/ €70,000-112,000), and a 16th century Flemish Wild Leaf ‘Feuilles-des Choux’ (Lot 136, est. £50,000-70,000/ €70,000-98,000) and an Italian Allegorical Tapestry from the Barberini Workshop, Rome, circa 1650-1660 (Lot 158, est. £30,000 - 40,000/ €41,900-56,000).