Page 79 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 London

These ‘Soldier’ vases, also known as ‘Dragoon
vases’, which stand over one meter high, owe their
unusual name to Augustus the Strong, Elector of
Saxony and King of Poland (1670-1733).
In the summer of 1715, after the Great Northern
War, Augustus wished to downsize his army and
reduce costs. However, instead of selling his
army to another prince for money, he considered
accepting Asian porcelain as payment instead, so
as to elevate his position among European royalty.
Augustus no doubt remembered the vast treasures
of porcelain in the Palace cabinets of Oranienburg
and Charlottenburg he saw during his visit to King
Frederick I of Brandenburg and Prussia in 1709.
Augustus also knew the Prussian successor,
Frederick William I, deemed all his inherited art as
superficial, preferring instead to focus spending on
his army. Therefore, negotiations for the exchange
of porcelain and soldiers took place.
In April 1717, a total of 151 pieces of
porcelain from the Palaces of Oranienburg and
Charlottenburg were delivered to Augustus while
600 Dragoon soldiers without horses and officers
crossed the border at Baruth between Saxony and
Brandenburg-Prussia. On the advice of Frederick
William I, the exchange - which had a monetary
value of 26,000 thalers - took the form of a simple
ritual and was declared a ‘gift’ between the two
royals. Thus, these tall porcelains became known
as ‘Dragoon vases’ or ‘soldier vases’.
A related pair of ‘Dragoon’ vases from Petworth
House in Sussex is illustrated in Treasures from
the National Trust, London, 2007, p.49. Compare
another ‘Soldier’ vase sold in these rooms, 12 May
2011, lot 317, and another important pair was sold
in these rooms on 10 July 2006, lot 107.

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