Eagle mark SPM, 1847.

Polychromatic painting, gilded. H 26 cm.

Crater-shaped vase with rocaille relief and foot. On the front, a depiction of the so-called “fairy-tale villa” on Brunnenstraße in Eberswalde, labeled “View of the Dictus property in Neustadt EW.” On the reverse, the dedication: “Dedicated to the memory of my beloved wife by Wilh. Dictus, 1847.” / “In memory of Joh: Forst.”. Minimal gold wear.

Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Dictus (1782–1853): German artist and innkeeper in Eberswalde. In 1833/34, he built a stately country house on Brunnenstraße in Eberswalde. In 1836, he had a park—the so-called “Dictusgarten”—landscaped around the building, which was adorned with sculptures and statues. Because of the numerous figures, the building came to be known as the “Fairy-Tale Villa.”