18
Panorama "Plan der Bataille von Molwitz" Sepia ink, red ink, ink and watercolours on two connected
In Prussia
1/3
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Köln
Description
Panorama "Plan der Bataille von Molwitz"
Sepia ink, red ink, ink and watercolours on two connected sheets. Horizonal rolled battle plan, labelled "PLAN der BATAILLE von MOLWITZ so den 10.ten April Anno. 1741 vorgefallen mit der Oestereichschen Armee." Detailed and finely coloured gouches: 13 portraits of generals on horseback (ca. 4 x 5 cm); depiction of the Prussian formation with coloured standards, cannon, and wagons; 6 coloured views of the surrounding villages and the fortress, and a small schematic plan of the Prussian and Austrian battle array. Inscribed on the reverse in the outer right edge "Bataille de Molwitz". Watermarked. A backed vertical restoration, restorations to the lower left edge and several restored and unrestored tears to the margins, yellowed. H 36, W 90.4 cm and H 36, W 92.5 cm. In a gilt embossed blue leather case.
1741
This scroll, which appears to have a commemorative function, was made after the victory at Mollwitz, probably for a high-ranking officer or perhaps even as a gift for the King himself. Several irregularities in the officer's rank designations indicate that the piece was made some time around the middle of the year 1741. Three officers are labelled with ranks, which they either did not yet, or no longer, held at the time of the battle. For example, Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky is labelled as “Gen. Maj.” (Major General). Since he only achieved this rank on 4th June 1741, we can assume that the scroll was made some time after this date. Generallieutenant (Lieutenant General) Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who received this rank in early December 1740, is listed with his previous rank of Major General. News of his promotion apparently did not circulate quickly enough in the general chaos of the war preparations and the succession for it to be given correctly in the plan. General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau, who achieved this rank on 7th April 1741, is still listed in his role of "Gen. Lt." (Lieutenant General). This mistake provides further indication that the scroll was made shortly after the battle.
The scroll is split into two parts, covering different aspects of the battle. The left half (circa 110 cm wide), depicts the Prussian battle formation with standards in the regiment colours beside each infantry square. Grenadier battalions are indicated by burning grenades. Each of the regiments and battalions are labelled in red, and their commanders are depicted in detailed portrait miniatures on horseback measuring around 4 x 5 cm.
The following participants are listed:
Frederick II and Field Marshal Kurt Christoph Count von Schwerin at the fore.
Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky (labelled as Major General) on the left wing.
First encounter: Lieutenant General Christoph Wilhelm von Kalckstein, Major General Joachim Christoph von Jeetze, Lieutenant General Heinrich Karl von der Marwitz, Major General Prince Dietrich von Anhalt-Dessau, Major General Margrave Karl Friedrich Albrecht von Brandenburg-Schwedt.
Right wing: Major General von Kleist, Lieutenant General Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg (here listed as Major General).
Second encounter: Major General von Bredow, General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau (here listed as Lieutenant General), Major General Prince Heinrich.
The right half of the scroll measures 64 cm in length and shows the Prussian and Austrian battle formation. The depiction of the location is reduced to a few coloured views of the surrounding towns and villages, including Mollwitz (now the Polish town of Malujowice), Hünern, the burning Pampitz, Grüningen, Brieg fortress on the Oder, and Hermsdorf. The panoramas are around 10 - 20 cm wide, up to 15 cm high, and exceedingly detailed.
Alongside its decorative appeal, the scroll represents an exceptional homage to the King by an unknown artist, depicting Prussia's first, admittedly hard-fought, victory in the First Silesian War. The work's monumentality, opulent colouring, and copious detail give an impression of the importance of this battle to contemporary viewers and illustrate the media reception of the event in the 18th century. “The battle cry was heard throughout Europe. A new military power had been born; … a new hour had been struck, … a new era had begun” (Carlyle: Friedrich der Große, 1928, vol. 3, p. 225 f.).
Following the break with the Pragmatic Sanction and the occupation of Silesia, Frederick II was faced by an alliance between England, Russia, Holland, Saxony, and Austria in the spring of 1741. The King was unable to defend his widely strewn territories and was forced to concentrate on his heartland and the recently acquired region of Silesia. When the Austrians began their assault much earlier than anticipated, Frederick had to move quickly to avoid the worst. In order to prevent the Austrians from crossing the Oder, he rushed into battle with a hastily organised army. The forces met near Mollwitz on 10th April 1741.
The Austrian host of 16,600 men was up against a much stronger Prussian force of 23,400. However, the Prussians were unable to form properly in the country around Mollwitz. Wrongly indicated lines of approach caused the infantry to bunch up, the left wing lagged behind, and Frederick took the exposed grenadier battalion to the right wing. The outcome of the battle proved this to be a wise decision, and it was the birth of the famous “crooked battle formation”.
At first, the Austrian cavalry was able to break that of the Prussians. The King would later remark, “the cavalry is so wretched, not even the devil would take it.” General Schwerin tried to convince Frederick to leave the field, believing the battle to be lost, but his unerringly disciplined infantry advance soon caused the tides to turn. Frederick gave very clear instructions on this point, “If a soldier should seek to flee during the encounter, moving even one foot broad out of the line, the sergeant standing behind him is instructed to impale him with bayonet and kill him.”
The Austrian cavalry was finally compelled to retreat, with their severely outgunned forces standing against the highly drilled Prussian “war machine”. An Austrian officer would later recall, “I tell you, I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. They marched with such composure and in such perfect rank and file, as if they were still on the parade ground. The polished guns shone in the sunlight, and their fire was like a constant peal of thunder. Our forces completely lost their morale.”
Even though the Battle of Mollwitz on 10th April 1741 brought no military advantages for Frederick, and the Prussian losses were higher than those of the defeated Austrians, the battle brought considerable prestige for the Prussian army and the young King. Alone the discipline and clout of the salvos, fired by the Prussian ranks at the rate of around one volley every 12 seconds, brought the fear of doubt into the hearts of the tactically superior Austrians, forcing their retreat. The hard-won victory was later glorified in legend, even by historians such as Ranke, “The significance of the Battle of Mollwitz was felt so strongly, whilst the battle still raged, the children in the city streets went down on their knees to pray for the victory of the Prussian King” (Leopold von Ranke, Sämtliche Werke, 1874, vol. 11, p. 436.)
This monumental panorama of the battle is an impressive example of how early in his career the veneration of King Frederick began. The fact that his lack of experience led him to commit major tactical errors, such as the late attack caused by a tedious textbook deployment, was soon forgotten. The fact that Frederick had the cold-bloodedness of General Schwerin and his father's incessantly drilled and exercised infa
Sepia ink, red ink, ink and watercolours on two connected sheets. Horizonal rolled battle plan, labelled "PLAN der BATAILLE von MOLWITZ so den 10.ten April Anno. 1741 vorgefallen mit der Oestereichschen Armee." Detailed and finely coloured gouches: 13 portraits of generals on horseback (ca. 4 x 5 cm); depiction of the Prussian formation with coloured standards, cannon, and wagons; 6 coloured views of the surrounding villages and the fortress, and a small schematic plan of the Prussian and Austrian battle array. Inscribed on the reverse in the outer right edge "Bataille de Molwitz". Watermarked. A backed vertical restoration, restorations to the lower left edge and several restored and unrestored tears to the margins, yellowed. H 36, W 90.4 cm and H 36, W 92.5 cm. In a gilt embossed blue leather case.
1741
This scroll, which appears to have a commemorative function, was made after the victory at Mollwitz, probably for a high-ranking officer or perhaps even as a gift for the King himself. Several irregularities in the officer's rank designations indicate that the piece was made some time around the middle of the year 1741. Three officers are labelled with ranks, which they either did not yet, or no longer, held at the time of the battle. For example, Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky is labelled as “Gen. Maj.” (Major General). Since he only achieved this rank on 4th June 1741, we can assume that the scroll was made some time after this date. Generallieutenant (Lieutenant General) Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who received this rank in early December 1740, is listed with his previous rank of Major General. News of his promotion apparently did not circulate quickly enough in the general chaos of the war preparations and the succession for it to be given correctly in the plan. General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau, who achieved this rank on 7th April 1741, is still listed in his role of "Gen. Lt." (Lieutenant General). This mistake provides further indication that the scroll was made shortly after the battle.
The scroll is split into two parts, covering different aspects of the battle. The left half (circa 110 cm wide), depicts the Prussian battle formation with standards in the regiment colours beside each infantry square. Grenadier battalions are indicated by burning grenades. Each of the regiments and battalions are labelled in red, and their commanders are depicted in detailed portrait miniatures on horseback measuring around 4 x 5 cm.
The following participants are listed:
Frederick II and Field Marshal Kurt Christoph Count von Schwerin at the fore.
Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky (labelled as Major General) on the left wing.
First encounter: Lieutenant General Christoph Wilhelm von Kalckstein, Major General Joachim Christoph von Jeetze, Lieutenant General Heinrich Karl von der Marwitz, Major General Prince Dietrich von Anhalt-Dessau, Major General Margrave Karl Friedrich Albrecht von Brandenburg-Schwedt.
Right wing: Major General von Kleist, Lieutenant General Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg (here listed as Major General).
Second encounter: Major General von Bredow, General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau (here listed as Lieutenant General), Major General Prince Heinrich.
The right half of the scroll measures 64 cm in length and shows the Prussian and Austrian battle formation. The depiction of the location is reduced to a few coloured views of the surrounding towns and villages, including Mollwitz (now the Polish town of Malujowice), Hünern, the burning Pampitz, Grüningen, Brieg fortress on the Oder, and Hermsdorf. The panoramas are around 10 - 20 cm wide, up to 15 cm high, and exceedingly detailed.
Alongside its decorative appeal, the scroll represents an exceptional homage to the King by an unknown artist, depicting Prussia's first, admittedly hard-fought, victory in the First Silesian War. The work's monumentality, opulent colouring, and copious detail give an impression of the importance of this battle to contemporary viewers and illustrate the media reception of the event in the 18th century. “The battle cry was heard throughout Europe. A new military power had been born; … a new hour had been struck, … a new era had begun” (Carlyle: Friedrich der Große, 1928, vol. 3, p. 225 f.).
Following the break with the Pragmatic Sanction and the occupation of Silesia, Frederick II was faced by an alliance between England, Russia, Holland, Saxony, and Austria in the spring of 1741. The King was unable to defend his widely strewn territories and was forced to concentrate on his heartland and the recently acquired region of Silesia. When the Austrians began their assault much earlier than anticipated, Frederick had to move quickly to avoid the worst. In order to prevent the Austrians from crossing the Oder, he rushed into battle with a hastily organised army. The forces met near Mollwitz on 10th April 1741.
The Austrian host of 16,600 men was up against a much stronger Prussian force of 23,400. However, the Prussians were unable to form properly in the country around Mollwitz. Wrongly indicated lines of approach caused the infantry to bunch up, the left wing lagged behind, and Frederick took the exposed grenadier battalion to the right wing. The outcome of the battle proved this to be a wise decision, and it was the birth of the famous “crooked battle formation”.
At first, the Austrian cavalry was able to break that of the Prussians. The King would later remark, “the cavalry is so wretched, not even the devil would take it.” General Schwerin tried to convince Frederick to leave the field, believing the battle to be lost, but his unerringly disciplined infantry advance soon caused the tides to turn. Frederick gave very clear instructions on this point, “If a soldier should seek to flee during the encounter, moving even one foot broad out of the line, the sergeant standing behind him is instructed to impale him with bayonet and kill him.”
The Austrian cavalry was finally compelled to retreat, with their severely outgunned forces standing against the highly drilled Prussian “war machine”. An Austrian officer would later recall, “I tell you, I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. They marched with such composure and in such perfect rank and file, as if they were still on the parade ground. The polished guns shone in the sunlight, and their fire was like a constant peal of thunder. Our forces completely lost their morale.”
Even though the Battle of Mollwitz on 10th April 1741 brought no military advantages for Frederick, and the Prussian losses were higher than those of the defeated Austrians, the battle brought considerable prestige for the Prussian army and the young King. Alone the discipline and clout of the salvos, fired by the Prussian ranks at the rate of around one volley every 12 seconds, brought the fear of doubt into the hearts of the tactically superior Austrians, forcing their retreat. The hard-won victory was later glorified in legend, even by historians such as Ranke, “The significance of the Battle of Mollwitz was felt so strongly, whilst the battle still raged, the children in the city streets went down on their knees to pray for the victory of the Prussian King” (Leopold von Ranke, Sämtliche Werke, 1874, vol. 11, p. 436.)
This monumental panorama of the battle is an impressive example of how early in his career the veneration of King Frederick began. The fact that his lack of experience led him to commit major tactical errors, such as the late attack caused by a tedious textbook deployment, was soon forgotten. The fact that Frederick had the cold-bloodedness of General Schwerin and his father's incessantly drilled and exercised infa
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Panorama "Plan der Bataille von Molwitz"
Sepia ink, red ink, ink and watercolours on two connected sheets. Horizonal rolled battle plan, labelled "PLAN der BATAILLE von MOLWITZ so den 10.ten April Anno. 1741 vorgefallen mit der Oestereichschen Armee." Detailed and finely coloured gouches: 13 portraits of generals on horseback (ca. 4 x 5 cm); depiction of the Prussian formation with coloured standards, cannon, and wagons; 6 coloured views of the surrounding villages and the fortress, and a small schematic plan of the Prussian and Austrian battle array. Inscribed on the reverse in the outer right edge "Bataille de Molwitz". Watermarked. A backed vertical restoration, restorations to the lower left edge and several restored and unrestored tears to the margins, yellowed. H 36, W 90.4 cm and H 36, W 92.5 cm. In a gilt embossed blue leather case.
1741
This scroll, which appears to have a commemorative function, was made after the victory at Mollwitz, probably for a high-ranking officer or perhaps even as a gift for the King himself. Several irregularities in the officer's rank designations indicate that the piece was made some time around the middle of the year 1741. Three officers are labelled with ranks, which they either did not yet, or no longer, held at the time of the battle. For example, Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky is labelled as “Gen. Maj.” (Major General). Since he only achieved this rank on 4th June 1741, we can assume that the scroll was made some time after this date. Generallieutenant (Lieutenant General) Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who received this rank in early December 1740, is listed with his previous rank of Major General. News of his promotion apparently did not circulate quickly enough in the general chaos of the war preparations and the succession for it to be given correctly in the plan. General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau, who achieved this rank on 7th April 1741, is still listed in his role of "Gen. Lt." (Lieutenant General). This mistake provides further indication that the scroll was made shortly after the battle.
The scroll is split into two parts, covering different aspects of the battle. The left half (circa 110 cm wide), depicts the Prussian battle formation with standards in the regiment colours beside each infantry square. Grenadier battalions are indicated by burning grenades. Each of the regiments and battalions are labelled in red, and their commanders are depicted in detailed portrait miniatures on horseback measuring around 4 x 5 cm.
The following participants are listed:
Frederick II and Field Marshal Kurt Christoph Count von Schwerin at the fore.
Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky (labelled as Major General) on the left wing.
First encounter: Lieutenant General Christoph Wilhelm von Kalckstein, Major General Joachim Christoph von Jeetze, Lieutenant General Heinrich Karl von der Marwitz, Major General Prince Dietrich von Anhalt-Dessau, Major General Margrave Karl Friedrich Albrecht von Brandenburg-Schwedt.
Right wing: Major General von Kleist, Lieutenant General Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg (here listed as Major General).
Second encounter: Major General von Bredow, General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau (here listed as Lieutenant General), Major General Prince Heinrich.
The right half of the scroll measures 64 cm in length and shows the Prussian and Austrian battle formation. The depiction of the location is reduced to a few coloured views of the surrounding towns and villages, including Mollwitz (now the Polish town of Malujowice), Hünern, the burning Pampitz, Grüningen, Brieg fortress on the Oder, and Hermsdorf. The panoramas are around 10 - 20 cm wide, up to 15 cm high, and exceedingly detailed.
Alongside its decorative appeal, the scroll represents an exceptional homage to the King by an unknown artist, depicting Prussia's first, admittedly hard-fought, victory in the First Silesian War. The work's monumentality, opulent colouring, and copious detail give an impression of the importance of this battle to contemporary viewers and illustrate the media reception of the event in the 18th century. “The battle cry was heard throughout Europe. A new military power had been born; … a new hour had been struck, … a new era had begun” (Carlyle: Friedrich der Große, 1928, vol. 3, p. 225 f.).
Following the break with the Pragmatic Sanction and the occupation of Silesia, Frederick II was faced by an alliance between England, Russia, Holland, Saxony, and Austria in the spring of 1741. The King was unable to defend his widely strewn territories and was forced to concentrate on his heartland and the recently acquired region of Silesia. When the Austrians began their assault much earlier than anticipated, Frederick had to move quickly to avoid the worst. In order to prevent the Austrians from crossing the Oder, he rushed into battle with a hastily organised army. The forces met near Mollwitz on 10th April 1741.
The Austrian host of 16,600 men was up against a much stronger Prussian force of 23,400. However, the Prussians were unable to form properly in the country around Mollwitz. Wrongly indicated lines of approach caused the infantry to bunch up, the left wing lagged behind, and Frederick took the exposed grenadier battalion to the right wing. The outcome of the battle proved this to be a wise decision, and it was the birth of the famous “crooked battle formation”.
At first, the Austrian cavalry was able to break that of the Prussians. The King would later remark, “the cavalry is so wretched, not even the devil would take it.” General Schwerin tried to convince Frederick to leave the field, believing the battle to be lost, but his unerringly disciplined infantry advance soon caused the tides to turn. Frederick gave very clear instructions on this point, “If a soldier should seek to flee during the encounter, moving even one foot broad out of the line, the sergeant standing behind him is instructed to impale him with bayonet and kill him.”
The Austrian cavalry was finally compelled to retreat, with their severely outgunned forces standing against the highly drilled Prussian “war machine”. An Austrian officer would later recall, “I tell you, I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. They marched with such composure and in such perfect rank and file, as if they were still on the parade ground. The polished guns shone in the sunlight, and their fire was like a constant peal of thunder. Our forces completely lost their morale.”
Even though the Battle of Mollwitz on 10th April 1741 brought no military advantages for Frederick, and the Prussian losses were higher than those of the defeated Austrians, the battle brought considerable prestige for the Prussian army and the young King. Alone the discipline and clout of the salvos, fired by the Prussian ranks at the rate of around one volley every 12 seconds, brought the fear of doubt into the hearts of the tactically superior Austrians, forcing their retreat. The hard-won victory was later glorified in legend, even by historians such as Ranke, “The significance of the Battle of Mollwitz was felt so strongly, whilst the battle still raged, the children in the city streets went down on their knees to pray for the victory of the Prussian King” (Leopold von Ranke, Sämtliche Werke, 1874, vol. 11, p. 436.)
This monumental panorama of the battle is an impressive example of how early in his career the veneration of King Frederick began. The fact that his lack of experience led him to commit major tactical errors, such as the late attack caused by a tedious textbook deployment, was soon forgotten. The fact that Frederick had the cold-bloodedness of General Schwerin and his father's incessantly drilled and exercised infa
Sepia ink, red ink, ink and watercolours on two connected sheets. Horizonal rolled battle plan, labelled "PLAN der BATAILLE von MOLWITZ so den 10.ten April Anno. 1741 vorgefallen mit der Oestereichschen Armee." Detailed and finely coloured gouches: 13 portraits of generals on horseback (ca. 4 x 5 cm); depiction of the Prussian formation with coloured standards, cannon, and wagons; 6 coloured views of the surrounding villages and the fortress, and a small schematic plan of the Prussian and Austrian battle array. Inscribed on the reverse in the outer right edge "Bataille de Molwitz". Watermarked. A backed vertical restoration, restorations to the lower left edge and several restored and unrestored tears to the margins, yellowed. H 36, W 90.4 cm and H 36, W 92.5 cm. In a gilt embossed blue leather case.
1741
This scroll, which appears to have a commemorative function, was made after the victory at Mollwitz, probably for a high-ranking officer or perhaps even as a gift for the King himself. Several irregularities in the officer's rank designations indicate that the piece was made some time around the middle of the year 1741. Three officers are labelled with ranks, which they either did not yet, or no longer, held at the time of the battle. For example, Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky is labelled as “Gen. Maj.” (Major General). Since he only achieved this rank on 4th June 1741, we can assume that the scroll was made some time after this date. Generallieutenant (Lieutenant General) Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who received this rank in early December 1740, is listed with his previous rank of Major General. News of his promotion apparently did not circulate quickly enough in the general chaos of the war preparations and the succession for it to be given correctly in the plan. General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau, who achieved this rank on 7th April 1741, is still listed in his role of "Gen. Lt." (Lieutenant General). This mistake provides further indication that the scroll was made shortly after the battle.
The scroll is split into two parts, covering different aspects of the battle. The left half (circa 110 cm wide), depicts the Prussian battle formation with standards in the regiment colours beside each infantry square. Grenadier battalions are indicated by burning grenades. Each of the regiments and battalions are labelled in red, and their commanders are depicted in detailed portrait miniatures on horseback measuring around 4 x 5 cm.
The following participants are listed:
Frederick II and Field Marshal Kurt Christoph Count von Schwerin at the fore.
Oberst (Colonel) Carl Friedrich von Posadowsky (labelled as Major General) on the left wing.
First encounter: Lieutenant General Christoph Wilhelm von Kalckstein, Major General Joachim Christoph von Jeetze, Lieutenant General Heinrich Karl von der Marwitz, Major General Prince Dietrich von Anhalt-Dessau, Major General Margrave Karl Friedrich Albrecht von Brandenburg-Schwedt.
Right wing: Major General von Kleist, Lieutenant General Count Adolph Friedrich von der Schulenburg (here listed as Major General).
Second encounter: Major General von Bredow, General Prince Leopold II Maximilian von Anhalt-Dessau (here listed as Lieutenant General), Major General Prince Heinrich.
The right half of the scroll measures 64 cm in length and shows the Prussian and Austrian battle formation. The depiction of the location is reduced to a few coloured views of the surrounding towns and villages, including Mollwitz (now the Polish town of Malujowice), Hünern, the burning Pampitz, Grüningen, Brieg fortress on the Oder, and Hermsdorf. The panoramas are around 10 - 20 cm wide, up to 15 cm high, and exceedingly detailed.
Alongside its decorative appeal, the scroll represents an exceptional homage to the King by an unknown artist, depicting Prussia's first, admittedly hard-fought, victory in the First Silesian War. The work's monumentality, opulent colouring, and copious detail give an impression of the importance of this battle to contemporary viewers and illustrate the media reception of the event in the 18th century. “The battle cry was heard throughout Europe. A new military power had been born; … a new hour had been struck, … a new era had begun” (Carlyle: Friedrich der Große, 1928, vol. 3, p. 225 f.).
Following the break with the Pragmatic Sanction and the occupation of Silesia, Frederick II was faced by an alliance between England, Russia, Holland, Saxony, and Austria in the spring of 1741. The King was unable to defend his widely strewn territories and was forced to concentrate on his heartland and the recently acquired region of Silesia. When the Austrians began their assault much earlier than anticipated, Frederick had to move quickly to avoid the worst. In order to prevent the Austrians from crossing the Oder, he rushed into battle with a hastily organised army. The forces met near Mollwitz on 10th April 1741.
The Austrian host of 16,600 men was up against a much stronger Prussian force of 23,400. However, the Prussians were unable to form properly in the country around Mollwitz. Wrongly indicated lines of approach caused the infantry to bunch up, the left wing lagged behind, and Frederick took the exposed grenadier battalion to the right wing. The outcome of the battle proved this to be a wise decision, and it was the birth of the famous “crooked battle formation”.
At first, the Austrian cavalry was able to break that of the Prussians. The King would later remark, “the cavalry is so wretched, not even the devil would take it.” General Schwerin tried to convince Frederick to leave the field, believing the battle to be lost, but his unerringly disciplined infantry advance soon caused the tides to turn. Frederick gave very clear instructions on this point, “If a soldier should seek to flee during the encounter, moving even one foot broad out of the line, the sergeant standing behind him is instructed to impale him with bayonet and kill him.”
The Austrian cavalry was finally compelled to retreat, with their severely outgunned forces standing against the highly drilled Prussian “war machine”. An Austrian officer would later recall, “I tell you, I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. They marched with such composure and in such perfect rank and file, as if they were still on the parade ground. The polished guns shone in the sunlight, and their fire was like a constant peal of thunder. Our forces completely lost their morale.”
Even though the Battle of Mollwitz on 10th April 1741 brought no military advantages for Frederick, and the Prussian losses were higher than those of the defeated Austrians, the battle brought considerable prestige for the Prussian army and the young King. Alone the discipline and clout of the salvos, fired by the Prussian ranks at the rate of around one volley every 12 seconds, brought the fear of doubt into the hearts of the tactically superior Austrians, forcing their retreat. The hard-won victory was later glorified in legend, even by historians such as Ranke, “The significance of the Battle of Mollwitz was felt so strongly, whilst the battle still raged, the children in the city streets went down on their knees to pray for the victory of the Prussian King” (Leopold von Ranke, Sämtliche Werke, 1874, vol. 11, p. 436.)
This monumental panorama of the battle is an impressive example of how early in his career the veneration of King Frederick began. The fact that his lack of experience led him to commit major tactical errors, such as the late attack caused by a tedious textbook deployment, was soon forgotten. The fact that Frederick had the cold-bloodedness of General Schwerin and his father's incessantly drilled and exercised infa
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4. Warranty claims are excluded. In the event of variances from the catalogue -descriptions, which result in negation or substantial diminution of value or suitability, and which are reported with due justification within one year after handover, Lempertz nevertheless undertakes to pursue its rights against the seller through the courts; in the event of a successful claim against the seller, Lempertz will reimburse the buyer only the total purchase price paid. Over and above this, Lempertz undertakes to reimburse its commission within a given period of two years after the date of the sale if the object in question proves not to be authentic.
5. Claims for compensation as the result of a fault or defect in the object auctioned or damage to it or its loss, regardless of the legal grounds, or as the result of variances from the catalogue description or statements made elsewhere are excluded unless Lempertz acted with wilful intent or gross negligence; the liability for bodily injury or damages caused to health or life remains unaffected. In other regards, point 4 applies.
6. Submission of bids. Bids in attendance: The floor bidder receives a bidding number on presentation of a photo ID. Lempertz reserves the right to grant entry to the auction. If the bidder is not known to Lempertz, registration must take place 24 hours before the auction is due to begin in writing on presentation of a current bank reference. Bids in absentia: Bids can also be submitted either in writing, -telephonically or via the internet. The placing of bids in absentia must reach -Lempertz 24 hours before the auction to ensure the proper processing thereof. The item must be mentioned in the bid placed, together with ticket number and item description. In the event of ambiguities, the listed ticket number -becomes applicable. The placement of a bid must be signed by the applicant. The regulations regarding revocations and the right to return the goods in the case of long distance agreements (§ 312b – d of the Civil Code) do not -apply. Telephonic bids: Establishing and maintaining a connection cannot be vouched for. In submitting a bid placement, the bidder declares that he agrees to the recording of the bidding process. Bids via the internet: They will only be accepted by Lempertz if the bidder registered himself on the internet website beforehand. Lempertz will treat such bids in the same way as bids in writing.
7. Carrying out the auction. The hammer will come down when no higher bids are submitted after three calls for a bid. In extenuating circumstances, the auctioneer reserves the right to bring down the hammer or he can refuse to accept a bid. If several individuals make the same bid at the same time, and after the third call, no higher bid ensues, then the ticket becomes the deciding factor. The auctioneer can retract his acceptance of the bid and auction the item once more if a higher bid that was submitted on time, was erroneously overlooked and immediately queried by the bidder, or if any doubts regarding its acceptance arise. Bids are only played to an absolute maximum by Lempertz if this is deemed necessary to outbid another bid. The auctioneer can bid on behalf of the submitter up to the agreed limit, without revealing this and irrespective of whether other bids are submitted. Even if bids have been placed and the hammer has not come down, the auctioneer is only liable to the bidder in the event of premeditation or gross negligence.
8. Once a lot has been knocked down, the successful bidder is obliged to buy it. If a bid is accepted conditionally, the bidder is bound by his bid until four weeks after the auction unless he immediately withdraws from the conditionally accepted bid. From the fall of the hammer, possession and risk pass directly to the buyer, while ownership passes to the buyer only after full payment has been received.
9. Up to a hammer price of € 400.000.- a premium of 24 % calculated on the hammer price plus 19 % value added tax calculated (VAT) on the surcharge only is levied. The premium will be reduced to 20 % (plus VAT) on any amount surpassing € 400.000 (margin scheme). On lots which are characterized by ** an additional 7 % for import tax will be added. On lots which are characterised by an *, the buyer shall pay a premium of 24 % on a hammer price up to € 400.000 and 20 % on the surpassing amount; onto this (hammer price and premium) the statutory VAT of 19 % will be added (regular scheme). Exports to third (i.e. non-EU) countries will be exempt from VAT, and so will be exports made by companies from other EU member states if they state their VAT identification number. For original works of art, whose author died after 31.12.1943, a charge of 1,9 % on the hammer price will be levied for the droit de suite. The maximum charge is € 12.500.-. If a buyer exports an object to a third country personally, the VAT will be refunded, as soon as Lempertz receives the export and import papers. All invoices issued on the day of auction or soon after remain under provision.
10. Successful bidders attending the auction in person shall forthwith upon the purchase pay to Lempertz the final price (hammer price plus premium and VAT) in Euro. Payments by foreign buyers who have bid in writing or by proxy shall also be due forthwith upon the purchase, but will not be deemed to have been delayed if received within ten days of the invoice date. Bank transfers are to be exclusively in Euros. The request for an alteration of an auction invoice to a person other than the bidder has to be made immediately after the auction. Lempertz however also reserves the right to refuse such a request if it is deemed appropriate.
11. In the case of payment default, Lempertz will charge interest on the outstanding amount at a rate of 1 % of the gross price per month or part month. If the buyer defaults in payment, Lempertz may at its discretion insist on performance of the purchase contract or, after allowing a period of grace, claim damages for non-performance. In the latter case, Lempertz may determine the amount of the damages by putting the lot or lots up for auction again, in which case the defaulting buyer will bear the amount of any reduction in the proceeds compared with the earlier auction, plus the cost of resale, including the premium.
12. Buyers must take charge of their purchases immediately after the auction. Once a lot has been sold, the auctioneer is liable only for wilful intent or gross negligence. Lots will not, however, be surrendered to buyers until full payment has been received. Without exception, shipment will be at the expense and risk of the buyer. Purchases which are not collected within four weeks after the auction may be stored and insured by Lempertz on behalf of the buyer and at its expense in the premises of a freight agent. If Lempertz stores such items itself, it will charge 1 % of the hammer price for insurance and storage costs.
13. As far as this can be agreed, the place of performance and jurisdiction is Cologne. German law applies; the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, CISG are not applicable. Should any provision herein be wholly or partially ineffective, this will not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
Henrik Hanstein, sworn public auctioneer
Takuro Ito, Auctioneer
