#Real #Countess #Potocka #Mystery #Solved #WorthPoint
I first became aware of Countess Potocka decades ago when my mother purchased several R.S. Prussia porcelain pieces featuring the noble lady in a famous pose. Since then, as an avid antiquer, I’ve run across similar depictions on items ranging from postcards to hand mirrors. I couldn’t help but wonder who this woman was and why people over a century ago wanted to own objects with her face prominently displayed on them.
While writing a series of features on R.S. Prussia last year, I encountered some confusion about whether this famed portrait featured Anna Potocka (1758–1814) or Sophie (Zofia) Potocka (1760–1822) since it’s been attributed to both. However, after reading the Memoirs of the Countess Potocka recently, I’m leaning toward these illustrations being inspired by another Countess, Anna Potocka, who started her life as Anna Tyszkewicz (1779–1867).
The “memoirs” written by the latter Countess Potocka consist of a group of writings that first appeared in The Parisian magazine in the late 1800s and were later published in book form around 1900. These musings start with a few early recollections from the late 18th century and then move ahead to memories of the years 1802–1818. They provide valuable historical context to the life of aristocracy during that period but also offer some insight into the world of this mystery woman.
Countess Potocka’s Early Life
Countess Potocka’s writings start with childhood memories of death and destruction resulting from war in the late 18th century. As part of a Polish aristocratic family, she was forced to hide with the family in a royal castle to save their lives. She traversed streets littered with the bodies of Russian soldiers to get there and ended up residing in the palace for years after that.
This tragedy clearly impacted her outlook on life at the time, but all was not gloom and doom. The harsh experiences didn’t stop her from adding a story about how supposed royal family members fled France and took up residence in quarters provided by the local aristocracy. When Louis XVIII visited and spilled the tea that he didn’t have a clue who they were, it was quite the scandal. Countess Potocka’s talent for keeping her readers entertained was evident.
As she became a young woman, she was seen as a favorable match for well-to-do suitors by her own admission in her writings. Beautiful and poised to be an heiress, she was even pursued by her uncle at the age of fourteen. She wanted no part of that as he wasn’t handsome enough for her taste. Soon after, she was matched with Count Aleksander Potocki and became his bride.
Countess Potocka’s Married Life
As a young married woman, Countess Potocka’s life wasn’t so different than most in some respects. She was on the outs with her mother-in-law on occasion, bore several children, and sold some of her possessions when money was short. Among the items sold were diamonds; the proceeds were used to buy sumptuous furnishings for her apartments. Nonetheless, she did what was necessary to make ends meet. She also endured the heartbreak of losing a child, getting divorced, and then getting remarried.
In other regards, her life was more extraordinary. When at home, she entertained dignitaries and attended lavish events. Her travels were also extensive, with much time spent touring Italy. Everywhere she went, she saw extraordinary things that made an impression on her, ranging from the treasures of kings held in castles to letters from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn in the Vatican Library. Her memoirs also recall tales of interesting individuals, many of whom were royals in one form or another. Their letters of introduction opened the doors of fine villas and castles for her. When she had a fondness for people, including Napoleon, it was ardent. Those she didn’t care for were not coddled, including the English, and she put in writing how uppity and ill-mannered she found them to be.
Living well into her eighties, Countess Potocka was undoubtedly an impressive woman with clear opinions about what pleased her immensely and what irritated her in equal measure. Now that we know more about who she was and how she lived, it’s not surprising that we find what is supposed to be her likeness on so many antiques today.
Why Countess Potocka’s Portrait Appears on So Many Antiques
Although her story has largely been forgotten over time, Countess Potocka was “a well-known figure in Continental society, especially in that of France and Italy,” according to an article regarding her memoirs published in Literature Weekly in 1899. “…She kept in touch with all that was brilliant and witty, as well as learned and intellectual, until her death in Paris in 1867.”
Her fame was fueled by the posthumous publication of her letters in The Parisian but presumably grew worldwide when the book containing her musings was published after that. One of the versions of her memoirs in Google Books is dated 1900 by the New York Public Library, so Americans were definitely among the readers learning about her life around that time, too.
I can only surmise that clever marketers drew on her popularity and decided to use her portrait on everything from porcelain plates to jewelry from the late 1800s through the early 20th century. Countess Potocka’s tales would have been known the world over when those items were made.
Many amateur and professional painters also recreated Countess Potocka’s famous portrait in several forms, so collectors find those from time to time as well. It’s not an unusual notion when you consider all the royal memorabilia featuring Queen Elizabeth and the plethora of kitschy collectibles celebrating Elvis Presley. News, gossip, and legend have always inspired portraiture.
Sticky Situation
One sticky bit that remains is the fact that this portrait is in at least one museum collection described as Sophia Potocka. Could the portrait I’ve grown to love have been misused on the cover of the version of Memoirs of Countess Potocka I purchased? Did the makers of the porcelain, jewelry, and other items around 1900 confuse Countess Sofia with Countess Anna?
I’m not sure the resources exist to answer for certain. I mean, I never dreamed there were so many countesses named Potocka in European history until I started poking around. With that said, I do feel that the writings made public in the late 1800s inspired a wave of objects with a Potocka portrait on them, and they’re all considered collectible today.
If you want to view the different types of Interested in the various collectibles featuring Countess Potocka? Check them out in our WorthPoint Price Guide.
Pamela Siegel is a freelance writer and author who has been educating collectors for more than two decades. In addition to three books on topics relating to antiques and collectibles, she frequently shares her expertise through online writing and articles for print-based publications. Pamela is also the co-founder of Costume Jewelry Collectors Int’l (CJCI) and the proprietor of Chic Antiques by Pamela.
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