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Meissen Porcelain

German

Meissen Porcelain (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen) is one of the preeminent porcelain factories in Europe and was the first to produce true porcelain outside of Asia. It was established in 1710 under the auspices of King Augustus II “the Strong” of Saxony-Poland (1670–1733), a keen collector of Asian ceramics, particularly Ming porcelain.

In pursuing his passion, which he termed his “maladie de porcelaine,” Augustus spent vast sums, amassing some 20,000 pieces of Japanese and Chinese ceramics. These, along with examples of early Meissen, comprise the Porzellansammlung, or porcelain collection, of the Zwinger Palace, in Dresden.

The king was determined, however, to free the European market from its dependence on Asian imports and to give European artisans the freedom to create their own porcelain designs. To this end, he charged the scientist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and aspiring alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger with the task of using local materials to produce true, hard-paste porcelain (as opposed to the soft-paste variety European ceramists in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Spain had been producing since the late Renaissance). In 1709, the pair succeeded in doing just that, employing kaolin, or “china clay.” A year later, the Meissen factory was born.

In its first decades, Meissen mostly looked to Asian models, producing wares based on Japanese Kakiemon ceramics and pieces with Chinese-inflected decorations called chinoiserie. During the 1720s its painters drew inspiration from the works of Watteau, and the scenes of courtly life, fruits and flowers that adorned fashionable textiles and wallpaper. It was in this period that Meissen introduced its famous cobalt-blue crossed swords logo — derived from the arms of the Elector of Saxony as Arch-Marshal of the Holy Roman Empire — to distinguish its products from those of competing factories that were beginning to spring up around Europe.

By the 1730s, Meissen’s modelers and decorators had mastered the style of Asian ceramics, and Augustus encouraged them to develop a new, original aesthetic. The factory’s director, Count Heinrich von Brühl, used Johann Wilhelm Weinmann’s botanical drawings as the basis for a new line of wares with European-style surface decoration. The Blue Onion pattern (Zwiebelmuster), first produced in 1739, melded Asian and European influences, closely following patterns used in Chinese underglaze-blue porcelain, but replacing exotic flora and fruits with Western varieties (likely peaches and pomegranates, not onions) along with peonies and asters.

During the same period, head modeler Joachim Kändler (1706–75) began crafting delicate porcelain figures derived from the Italian commedia dell’arte. Often used as centerpieces on banquet tables and decorated to reflect the latest fashions in courtly dress for men and women, these figurines were popular in their day, and are still considered among Meissen’s most iconic creations. Kändler also created the Swan Service, which, with its complex low-relief surface design and minimal decoration is considered a masterpiece of Baroque ceramics.

The rise of Neoclassicism in the latter half of the 18th century forced Meissen to change artistic direction and begin producing monumental vases, clocks, chandeliers and candelabra. In the 20th century, Meissen added to its 18th-century repertoire decidedly modern designs, including ones in the Art Nouveau style. The 1920s saw the introduction of numerous animal figures, such as the popular sea otter (Fischotter), which graced an East German postage stamp in the 1960s. Starting in 1933, artistic freedom was limited at the factory under the Nazi regime, and after World War II, when the region became part of East Germany, it struggled to reconcile its elite past with the values of the Communist government. In 1969, however, new artistic director Karl Petermann reintroduced the early designs and fostered a new degree of artistic license. Meissen became one of the few companies to prosper in East Germany.

Owned by the State of Saxony since reunification, in 1990, Meissen continues to produce its classic designs together with new ones developed collaboratively with artists from all over the world. In addition, through its artCAMPUS program, the factory has invited distinguished ceramic artists, such as Chris Antemann and Arlene Shechet, to work in its studios in collaboration with its skilled modelers and painters. The resulting works of contemporary sculpture are inspired by Meissen’s rich and complex legacy.

Find a collection of authentic Meissen Porcelain on 1stDibs.

Meissen Allegorical Group 'The Agriculture', by M.V. Acier, Germany, Ca 1870
By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellent Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century. Very large depiction of the allegory of agriculture grouped around an apple tree: in the foreground an elderly man chopping woo...
Category

Late 19th Century German Baroque Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 18th C. Meissen Porcelain Covered Tureens w/ 19th C. French Ormolu Mounts
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Marcolini Period Covered Tureens with 19th Century French Ormolu Mounts. These tureens show the combination of iconic French and German porc...
Category

19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

Large Mythological Meissen Group 'Triumph Of Venus', by J.J. Kaendler, c. 1870
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare and excellent porcelain sculpture: Depiction of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty (Greek: Aphrodite), as a young woman with her hair tied back at the nape of her neck,...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Baroque Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Meissen Set 12 Baroque Porcelain Dining Dishes with Floral Decor
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brescia, IT
This baroque dining colorfully dishes set is eclectical and drawn with vibrant colors. The board is in a contemporary fuchsia color. Precious, fine, elegant and timeless dining set dishes. The Meissen manufacturer is an antique brand...
Category

Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Meissen

Set of 4, Antique Meissen Blue Onion Pattern Knife Rests Circa 19th century
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen (German, founded 1710), circa late 19th century. A set of 4 antique Meissen blue onion pattern knife rests. Each marked appropriately.
Category

19th Century German Baroque Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair German Meissen Blanc de Chine Porcelain Centerpieces Putti Cherubs
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning Example of a pair of German Meissen Blanc de chine Porcelain Centerpieces each modelled as decorative oval baskets been driven by walking cherubs. Late Nineteenth Century. ...
Category

19th Century German Late Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Ormolu

Meissen Art Nouveau Figure 'Tied Up Cupid' by Paul Helmig, Germany Circa 1900
By Meissen Porcelain, Paul Helmig
Located in Vienna, AT
Excellen Art Nouveau porcelain figurine by Paul Helmig: Winged cupid boy with a suffering expression tied to a tree with a long garland of roses, an empty quiver at his feet. On high...
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Rare pair of 19th Century, ormolu mounted Meissen Parrots. 49cm
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An rare and important pair of 19th Century Meissen porcelain Parrots, each with wonderful bold colouring and detail, perched on tree stumps, one with cherries in its claw, mounted on...
Category

19th Century German Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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Creators Similar to Meissen Porcelain

Johann Friedrich Eberlein
Johann Joachim Kändler
Johann Carl Schoenheit
Michel Victor Acier
Nymphenburg Porcelain
Ernst August Leuteritz
Gebruder Friedlander

Meissen Porcelain furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Meissen Porcelain furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Meissen Porcelain furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 555 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Meissen Porcelain were created in the Rococo style in europe during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by KPM Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kändler, and Ernst August Leuteritz. Prices for Meissen Porcelain furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $69 and can go as high as $257,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,728.
Questions About Meissen Porcelain
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To spot a fake Meissen, first, check the maker’s mark, generally found on the bottom of the porcelain. Meissen used a simple mark, so if you spot one that appears too embellished, it may be a fake. Shop a collection of properly vetted Meissen porcelain from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

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