A rare pair of Meissen plates from the Japanese Hunting Service c.1733-34

A rare pair of Meissen plates from the Japanese Hunting Service c.1733-34, decorated in the Kakiemon manner with panels of indianische Blumen and a bird in flight, reserved on a yellow ground, blue crossed swords marks, incised Johanneum numbers N=148, 23.7cm. (2)

This service was ordered for the collection of Augustus the Strong, and is the only Meissen dinner service of the time with a coloured ground. The yellow is derived from the livery of the Electoral Huntsmen - hence the service becoming known variously as the Japanese Hunting Service or the Saxon Court Hunting Service. Thirty nine plates were listed in the original order, one of which is recorded as having been broken in two in 1777 at a dinner held for the King of Prussia.