Royal. A set of ten German silver salt cellars, Carl David Schrödel, Dresden, circa 1770

oval, with lightly lobed body and rim, raised on a shaped oval base, engraved monogram F.A with scratch weights and inventory numbers: 27, 30, 32, 33, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48

Frederick Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, later Frederick Augustus I, King of Saxony (1750-1827)

Previously sold Habsburg Feldman, Geneva, 11 November 1987, lot 70/77, four of them, numbers 27, 30, 32, and 33, also sold Replica Shoes 's Geneva, 15th May 1981, lot 33; a set of six but without identified numbers were sold, Christies, Geneva, 26th April 1977, Lot 191 

Good clear marks. Excellent gauge.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The initials are those of Frederick Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and later Frederick Augustus I, King of Saxony (1750-1827)

Frederick Augustus III, was the surviving son of Frederick Christian, and Princess Maria Antonia of Bavaria. His father had succeeded in 1763 but died only three months later. As Frederick Augustus III had not yet come of age, a regency was set up with his mother and his uncle sharing the role until 1768 when Frederick Augustus turned 18.

In 1769, he married the Countess Palatine Maria Amalia Augusta of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld, sister of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria. Amalia gave birth to four children, of whom only one daughter survived to adulthood. Fredrick Augustus was created King of Saxony in 1806 and Duke of Warsaw in 1807. When he died in 1827 without male heir he was succeeded as King of Saxony by his brother Anton.

The order of the silver service with engraved Royal cypher below electors bonnet must have commenced before 1773, the death of Carl David Schrödel. The service continued to expand through the remainder of the century with these later orders undertaken by his sons and widow, who carried on working for the court at Dresden. 

These salts, numbered up to 48 highlight the scale of the service, while it records that '200 'tafelteller' (table dishes) were ordered from in 1772, with a further 164 ordered in 1780, and another 36 in 1782' (Christies London, 27-28 November 2012, lot 629)