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Meissen Shoe

Vintage Meissen Porcelain Blue Onion Pattern Shoe or Slipper Paperweight
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
paperweight is an iconic Meissen form in the shape of a traditional slipper (Pantoffel) or shoe. The base
Category

Early 20th Century German Paperweights

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Meissen Cobalt Blue Hand Painted "Shoe" Slipper of Castle Moritzburg C 1890
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Museum quality piece of rare art from the re known firm of Meissen, Germany. This popular cabinet
Category

Antique 1890s German Baroque Paperweights

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Pair of Antique Meissen Porcelain Figures of Malabar Musicians
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique Meissen porcelain figures of Malabar musicians German, Late 19th Century Woman
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Art Nouveau Figurine Pair Snowball Thrower & Girl, A. Koenig, c 1910
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Very charming Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figurines: Boy in dark blue jacket, under it a brown
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

2 Antique Meissen German Porcelain Lidded Chocolate Tea Cups & Saucers on Stands
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
"Pair of exqusite antique 19th century Meissen porcelain demitasse chocolate cups with lids and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain, Hardwood

A 20th C. Meissen Ballet Dancer "Chiarina" from Russian Ballet by Paul Scheurich
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful 20th Century Meissen Ballet Dancer "Chiarina" from Russian Ballet by Paul Scheurich
Category

20th Century German Other Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Costume Group, Couple Dressed In Empire Style, by H. Goeschl, Ca 1940
By Heinrich Goeschl, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
, flat ballerina shoes, hat with bow and floral decoration on the blond hair that falls in long curls
Category

Mid-20th Century German Empire Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Art Nouveau Figure of a Girl with Cherries by Paul Helmig, circa 1910
By Paul Helmig, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German Art Nouveau porcelain figurine. By Meissen. Modeled by Paul Helmig. Depicting a a
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Commedia Dell' Arte Group 'Harlequin & Columbina', by Kaendler, ca 1860
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare 19th century Meissen porcelain group: Harlequin and Columbine seated side by side on a
Category

Antique 1860s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Rococo Figure 'Huntress with Dog', by J.C. Schoenheit, Around 1880
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Carl Schoenheit
Located in Vienna, AT
striped scarf as a belly bandage, on the feet matching pink buckled shoes, above the green frock coat of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin Child
By Meissen Porcelain, J.J. Kändler
Located in New York, NY
An important, extremely rare, and rather large 18th century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia
Category

Antique 18th Century German Rococo Busts

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen the Lucky Parents Model E 81 Michel Victor Acier Rococo made c. 1773
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous figurine group: The Lucky Parents, created by Michel Victor Acier (c. 1770-72
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Figure 'Scapino, ' from the Commedia Dell'arte, Bow Porcelain, circa 1751
By Bow Porcelain
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
manner, neck ruff, pale yellow-washed breeches above buckled shoes; a pouch on a red-brown strap and a
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Figure: Female Pedlar, Possibly Peg Woffington, Bow Porcelain, circa 1758
By Bow Porcelain
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
and patterned neck scarf and pink stockings with black shoes. She carries a large basket over her
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Oriental Figurines A 1146 67073 Scheurich Made 20th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable pair of figurines: Designed by Paul Scheurich (1883-1945) Oriental woman
Category

Vintage 1980s German Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

People Also Browsed

Cartier Hand Painted Enamel Porcelain Trinket Box
By Cartier
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Cartier hand painted enamel porcelain oval trinket box. It depicts an East Asian landscape with a couple wearing oriental outfits in the front of the lid. Also, there is an...
Category

20th Century English Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Cherubs Four Seasons Figurines Model 1068 Kaendler Made, circa 1870
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Gorgeous Cherubs (= Seasons' Figurines): Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) And Winter. The Details Are Stunningly Scupltured = Finest Modelling Manufactory: Meissen Dating:...
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Black 'Ming Dragon' Covered Box
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meissen Porcelain Black 'Ming Dragon' Covered Box Germany, Post WWII 20th Century, Two Slash Canceled Blue Crossed Swords Mark A fine Meissen Porcelain Black 'Ming Dragon' Covered...
Category

20th Century German Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Fornasetti Theme & Variations Porcelain Plate No. 218 with Original Box
By Fornasetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine designer porcelain plate. By Fornasetti. From the Theme & Variations series (Tema e Variazioni) Model no. 218. With a depiction of Lina Cavalliere's face behind fruit (inc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

8 Meissen Germany 19thc Cobalt Reticulated Porcelain Plates with Courting Scenes
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Savannah, GA
A ring of stunning cobalt blue frames the center of the courting scenes on this lovely eight piece set of painted porcelain plates. The reticulated basketweave edges are highlighted ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Romantic Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Large Art Deco Meissen Porcelain Sculpture of a Polar Bear by Otto Jarl
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and very large Art Deco Meissen Porcelain sculpture of a polar bear by Otto Jarl, beautifully sculpted, hand engraved and hand-painted under the glaze. Jarl, Otto (1856-1...
Category

Vintage 1910s German Other Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Apple Picking Group
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Altrincham, GB
Meissen Porcelain Figure group of Apple Pickers late 19th Century after a model by J.J. Kaendler and F.E. Meyer of 1751 depicted as a maiden and three young boys climbing a ladder an...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Apple Picking Group
Meissen Apple Picking Group
H 9.85 in Dm 3.94 in
KPM Shell and Flower Motif Cabinet or Patch Box
By KPM Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
KPM shell and flower motif cabinet or patch box, The top realistically modelled as a clam shell, the interior revealing painted florals, and the blue underglaze sceptre mark, joined ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco White Porcelain Galloping Horse Sculptures Signed by Karl Ens
By Karl Ens
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and dynamic white porcelain sculpture was realized by the esteemed artisan Karl Ens in East Germany, circa 1930. It depicts two galloping horses- a stallion and a mare-...
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

French Flower Garden Box Limoges Porcelain Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French porcelain hand-painted 'flower garden box' decorative or jewelry box, with gold gilt brass hinge closure, circa mid-20th century, Limoges, France. A beautiful porc...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

English Blue and White Porcelain Round Jewelry Box
By Coalport Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful English Coalport Porcelain predominantly blue and white 'botanical' decorated round box. Box can hold jewelry other small items. Beautiful floral and leaf design with col...
Category

Late 20th Century English Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Ode to the Woods, Contemporary Porcelain Dinner Plate with Rabbit and Flowers
By Francesca Colombo
Located in MILAN, IT
A white taled rabbit, a typical animal of the woods is gently painted on this dinner plate, with soft black tones and it is surrounded by a delicate and intriguing mix of wild flower...
Category

2010s Italian Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Richard Ginori Italy Pastorale Landscape White Blue Gold Demitasse
By Richard Ginori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare Richard Ginori demitasse or espresso cup and saucer set was made of fine semi-translucent porcelain in Italy. It is decorated with traditional landscape done in different shade...
Category

Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Monumental Sèvres Porcelain Blue Lapis Vase
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A monumental palace size Sèvres Porcelain blue lapis painted vase. Beautifully hand-painted to imitate natural Lapis Lazuli stone. Hand-painted in Royal Cobalt blue color with white ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

Guido Cacciapuoti Porcelain Figurine Of A Wire Fox Terrier Dog
By Guido Cacciapuoti
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Guido Cacciapuoti porcelain figurine of a dog. It depicts a hand painted white and grey blue Wire Fox Terrier dog full of hair and standing up. The Cacciapuoti Italy label...
Category

20th Century Italian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Coffee Set Bouquet Nr. 051110 12 Persons Pfeiffer Period 1924-1934
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
We invite you here to look at a splendid Meissen Coffee Set for twelve persons: This coffee set is of FINEST APPEARANCE due to gorgeous various multicolored flower paintings: F...
Category

Early 20th Century German Other Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Recent Sales

Bow Figure of Harlequin Playing Bagpipes, circa 1765
By Bow Porcelain
Located in Geelong, Victoria
Rare bow figure of Harlequin playing the bagpipes, modelled after a Meissen original by Kaendler
Category

Antique 1760s English Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Art Nouveau Figurine 'Ice-Scater' By Alfred Koenig, Meissen Germany, Ca 1911
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Meissen Art Nouveau porcelain figure: Skater in elegant winter clothes: lady wearing a long
Category

Vintage 1910s German Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Art Nouveau Figure, Child With Locomotive & Ball, by E. Oehler, Meissen, Ca 1909
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Meissen porcelain figure: Boy with curly hair, wearing a short shirt with a square
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Dude' by Paul Scheurich, circa 1919
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Meissen figurine of stunning appearance Manufactory: Meissen Germany Manufactured circa
Category

Vintage 1920s German Biedermeier Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Finest Meissen Porcelain Figure 'Dude' by Paul Scheurich, circa 1920
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
to the toes of the shoe, his chest puffed up with ruffles, his head in a heavy velvet collar, he
Category

Vintage 1920s German Biedermeier Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Very Early Meissen Figurines, Dance Couple, Germany, Around 1755
By Johann Friedrich Eberlein, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
waistcoat, matching his partner's apron, breeches and buckled shoes, and a tricorne hat. Like the lady
Category

Antique 1750s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Group, Court Jesters Froehlich & Schmiedel, by Kaendler, Germany ca 1850
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
, breeches, buckled shoes on his feet and a cocked hat on his head. Fröhlich holding a mouse in his right
Category

Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Four Seasons Figurines by Schoenheit, circa 1860
By Johann Carl Schoenheit
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Gorgeous Rococo Series of Four Seasons' Figurines "Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Male Buddha Movable Hands Head Tongue by Kändler Model 153 made
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Most Remarkable Figurine: Buddha, circa 1850 Attention: The Buddha Figurine has movable
Category

Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Male Buddha Movable Hands Head Tongue Figurine by Kaendler, circa 1860
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable figurine: Buddha Attention: The Buddha figurine has movable hands, head
Category

Antique 1860s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Gardeners Couple Male Female Models 2868 B 65 Kaendler Schoenheit, 1870
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable tall figurine group: Pair of gardeners Measures / Dimensions: Height
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Buddha Pair of Male and Female Movable Hands Head Tongue Kaendler
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable items: Two Buddha figurines (male and female) Attention: The Buddha
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Buddha Pair of Male and Female Movable Hands Head Tongue Kaendler
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable items: Two Buddha figurines (male and female) Attention: The Buddha
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Child Rococo Figurines Model C28 by Acier, circa 1850
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Lovely Pair of Child Figurines: Girl Dressed as Elegant Rococo Lady, seizing a shell in
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Art Nouveau Baby Child with Dog by Paul Rumrich Model A 234
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen lovely child figurine: baby with dog sitting on ground Model A 234 Size: height: 4.72
Category

Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Figurines Lady with Flowers Man with Hat Models 2342 2346 Kaendler, 1850
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Gorgeous Figurines: • Rococo Lady with Bouquet of Flowers • Rococo Gallant Man with Hat
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Acier Gallant Gardeners Figurines with Watering Can Model C 64 c.1880
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous figurine group of stunning appearance: There is a couple of gallant gardeners
Category

Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Art Nouveau Hentschel Child Baby Boy Riding on a Cane Model W 119
By Julius Konrad Hentschel
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen lovely Hentschel figurine: Baby boy riding on a cane Model W 119. Measures: Height
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Couple Shepherd and Shepherdess with Lamb Model 6 by Kaendler c.1860/70
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
with cloak as well as she has buckled shoes. Marks: These Meissen Figurines Are Marked By Blue
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Acier Pair of Wine-Growers Male Female Model F 80 made circa 1870
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
, breeches with white stockings, buckled shoes) Meissen young female wine-grower:  The lovely bright
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Stunning Figurines the Lucky Parents Model E81 by M. V. Acier, c.1860
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous figurine group: Called 'the lucky parents', created by Michel Victor Acier (1772
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Figurine the Little Muck Fairy Tale Model S 223 Helmut Schulz Made 1959
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen rare figurine: The Little Muck The details are stunningly sculptured = finest modelling
Category

Vintage 1950s German Other Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Art Nouveau Baby Child with Dog by Paul Rumrich Model a 234, circa 1910
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen lovely child figurine: baby with dog sitting on ground Model A 234 Measures: Height
Category

Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Shepherd Figurines Man and Woman with Sheep C.Punct made c.1860
By Carl Christoph Punct
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen gorgeous shepherds figurines: Man and woman with sheep, created by Carl Christoph Punct
Category

Antique 1860s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

PAGODA FIGURE
Located in New York, NY
Meissen nodding pagoda figure (after J.J. Kaendler, Meissen's first Master Modeler) marked with
Category

Antique 19th Century German Porcelain

PAGODA FIGURE
PAGODA FIGURE
H 19 in W 13 in
Figure representing Matrimony. Bow Porcelain C1751
By Bow Porcelain
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
gilt garters and floral rosettes; white hose and yellow shoes, and a high, gilt-edged, curved hat. The
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Bow Porcelain Figure, Shepherd Boy Piper with Dog, circa 1755
By Bow Porcelain
Located in London, GB
copied from Chelsea or Meissen. The porcelain is relatively translucent with a milky white glaze. The boy
Category

Antique 1750s English Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Two Vintage Meissen Porcelain Blue Onion Shoe or Slipper Form Paperweights
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. These paperweights are an iconic Meissen form in the shape of a traditional slipper (Pantoffel) or shoe
Category

Early 20th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Figure, Girl at the Spinnet
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Montreal, QC
elegantly and richly dressed from robin's egg colored shoes to powdered wig and lace cap. She sits on a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Figure, Girl at the Spinnet
Meissen Figure, Girl at the Spinnet
H 4.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.25 in
Baroque Style 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Gardener Figurine
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A late 19th century Meissen figurine of a gardener in Baroque style, dressed in a black and gilt
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Baroque Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Boy with Wooden Staff
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
porcelain makers Meissen and dating from the 19th century. The figure stands on a scroll work rounded base
Category

Antique 19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Boy with Wooden Staff
Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Boy with Wooden Staff
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H 5.32 in W 3.35 in D 2.37 in
Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figures of Lovers Singing
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and quite large pair of 19th century Meissen porcelain figures of Lovers Singing. Each
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen Dresden Porcelain Deer Hunt Tete-a-tete Serving Tray Platter
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique Meissen porcelain Tete a Tete serving platter with a molded neoclassical and dragon motif
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Regency Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

MEISSEN CHERUB WEARING WATER POT ROCOCO FIGURINE CIRCLE OF KAENDLER c. 1760-70
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Lovely Cherub Rococo Figurine: Cherub Wearing Water Pot on Head (= RARENESS DUE ITS
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Porcelain Figurine of a Young Girl Holding a Pull Along Animal Toy
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
shoes and a bonnet with a ribbon with a further ribbon tied around her neck. In her hands she holds her
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Acier Gardener Figurines Group Model D 95 Made circa 1870
By Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen superb figurine group by Michel Victor Acier (designed circa 1772) Gardener couple with
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Shepherd Figurines by Ernst A. Leuteritz, circa 1870 - 1880
By Ernst August Leuteritz
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Gorgeous Rococo Figurine Group: 'A PAIR OF SHEPHERD FIGURINES' manufactured circa 1870
Category

Antique 19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Two Gardeners Male Female Models 2868 B 65 Kaendler 20 inches made 1870
By Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen most remarkable tall figurine group: Pair of gardeners Measures / dimensions: height
Category

Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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Meissen Shoe For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal meissen shoe for your home. Frequently made of ceramic, porcelain and hardwood, every meissen shoe was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer meissen shoe, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Each meissen shoe bearing Rococo, neoclassical or Victorian hallmarks is very popular. A well-made meissen shoe has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Meissen Porcelain, Bow Porcelain and Johann Joachim Kändler are consistently popular.

How Much is a Meissen Shoe?

A meissen shoe can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,199, while the lowest priced sells for $395 and the highest can go for as much as $101,280.

Finding the Right porcelain for You

Today you’re likely to bring out your antique and vintage porcelain in order to dress up your dining table for a special meal.

Porcelain, a durable and nonporous kind of pottery made from clay and stone, was first made in China and spread across the world owing to the trade routes to the Far East established by Dutch and Portuguese merchants. Given its origin, English speakers called porcelain “fine china,” an expression you still might hear today. "Fine" indeed — for over a thousand years, it has been a highly sought-after material.

Meissen Porcelain, one of the first factories to create real porcelain outside Asia, popularized figurine centerpieces during the 18th century in Germany, while works by Capodimonte, a porcelain factory in Italy, are synonymous with flowers and notoriously hard to come by. Modern porcelain houses such as Maison Fragile of Limoges, France — long a hub of private porcelain manufacturing — keep the city’s long tradition alive while collaborating with venturesome contemporary artists such as illustrator Jean-Michel Tixier.

Porcelain is not totally clumsy-guest-proof, but it is surprisingly durable and easy to clean. Its low permeability and hardness have rendered porcelain wares a staple in kitchens and dining rooms as well as a common material for bathroom sinks and dental veneers. While it is tempting to store your porcelain behind closed glass cabinet doors and reserve it only for display, your porcelain dinner plates and serving platters can safely weather the “dangers” of the dining room and be used during meals.

Add different textures and colors to your table with dinner plates and pitchers of ceramic and silver or a porcelain lidded tureen, a serving dish with side handles that is often used for soups. Although porcelain and ceramic are both made in a kiln, porcelain is made with more refined clay and is stronger than ceramic because it is denser. 

On 1stDibs, browse an expansive collection of antique and vintage porcelain made in a variety of styles, including Regency, Scandinavian modern and other examples produced during the mid-century era, plus Rococo, which found its inspiration in nature and saw potters crafting animal figurines and integrating organic motifs such as floral patterns in their work.

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Ready for a Cinderella Moment? This Glass Handbag Is a Perfect Fit

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With Dansk, Jens Quistgaard Delivered Danish Simplicity to American Tables

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How to Identify Real Capodimonte Porcelain

Early examples by the Italian manufacturer can be hard to come by, but the best later pieces possess the same over-the-top charm.