Model of a stove

Description

The model shows a type of stove that was most commonly built in German regions and Vienna. They are known as 'Uberschlagofen' ('thrown over stoves') after the method of construction. The free, sculptural shape, in this case including a curling, flowing Rococo tower, was not assembled from standardised tiles but manufactured in a way that made great demands on the skills of the craftsman, known as an 'Erdpoussier' or clay former. The main body of the stove was first modelled as a single piece from clay 'thrown over' an armature. After being left to dry this piece was cut into sections and fired, together with additional architectural elements that had been modelled separately. These components were then glazed and painted on glaze with enamel colours. The pieces were then assembled so that the architectural parts concealed the joins. It appears that the stove represented by this model would have been stoked from the front. The lower opening was for the tray for ash. The painting of the model can also be attributed to François Antoine Anstett.