Product description
In 1851, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin produced the 45 cm tall portrait bust of Frederick II as a detail of an equestrian statue based on a design by Christian Daniel Rauch in porcelain.
On May 31, 1851, the almost 14-metre-high bronze statue of Frederick II. on horseback, created by the sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch over a period of 10 years, was ceremoniously unveiled in the avenue Unter den Linden. 65 years after the death of Frederick the Great, his equestrian statue was erected on the very spot steeped in history where Electress Dorothea is said to have planted the first lime tree and where the triumphal gate stood when the young Queen Luise entered Berlin. It was commissioned by the Prussian King Frederick William IV and was the highlight of Rauch's artistic work. In addition to being honored by the king, Rauch also received diplomas and honorary doctorates from the universities of Berlin and Halle , and a celebration was held for him with 230 invited guests.
The porcelain bust FREDERICK II is still made by hand today at the historic manufactory site in Berlin's Tiergarten. For the Berlin Porcelain Manufactory, Frederick the Great was important not only as a Prussian king and military leader, but also as its owner and founder with the acquisition of the manufactory in 1763. Until his death in 1786, he directed the fortunes of the company with great personal commitment. He even ordered 21 rich decorated table services to furnish his castles. Porcelain was also an important instrument of his politics and diplomacy as a state gift. He gave the porcelain manufactory the title “königlich” (royal) and gave it the scepter from the Kurbrandenburg coat of arms as a trademark that is still used today.
