Bidspirit auction | AMBASSADOR'S AUGARTEN PORCELAIN STALLIONS

AMBASSADOR'S AUGARTEN PORCELAIN STALLIONS - Pair of white porcelain stallions by Austrian maker Augarten, both identical style ca. 1945, 10.5 x 9.75 in., reminiscent of the famous Lipizzaner stallions. Both are maker marked on bottom. One bears a broken hoof, which is present, the other is in fine condition. From the estate of JOHN G. ERHARDT (1889-1951) who served as Consul in Hamburg and Consul in London under Ambassador Joseph Kennedy. During the war, he was in a high-level State Department position in Washington, where he was involved in the planning of the surrender of Germany and occupation of Germany and Austria. After the war, he served as de facto Ambassador to Austria and as political adviser to Gen. Mark Clark, who led the American occupation military forces in Austria. His final posting was as Ambassador to South Africa. A 10 x 8 in. ca. 1947 photo shows these porcelains in Erhardt's home in Vienna.