Meissen Blanc de Chine Porcelain Jester and Monkey Figure
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.53 in (11.5 cm)Width: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bishop's Stortford, GB
- Reference Number:
Meissen Porcelain
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bishop's Stortford, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Minton Antique Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figural CentrepieceBy MintonLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA fine antique Minton porcelain blanc de chine centrepiece with a young maiden with a basket dating from around 1862. The centrepiece stands o...Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Classical Boy Holding FlowersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA very fine and scarce antique German porcelain classical figure of a boy holding flowers by world renowned porcelain makers Meissen and dating fro...Category
Antique 1850s German Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen German Weiss Porcelain Garden Bird FigureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireFrom a collection of white and blanc de chine figures we are pleased to offer this fine German porcelain figure of a garden bird by renowned maker Meissen ...Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen German Weiss Porcelain Garden Bird FigureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireFrom a collection of white and blanc de chine figures we are pleased to offer this fine German porcelain figure of a garden bird by renowned maker Meissen ...Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Boy with Dog FigureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA fine antique German porcelain figure of a boy with a dog by world renowned makers Meissen and dating from the 19th century. The figure of a young boy in typical period dress stands...Category
Antique 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Chinese Early Qing Pair Blanc de Chine Porcelain Hawk FiguresLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA very finely made pair antique Chinese porcelain blanc de chine figures of hawks dating from the early qing period and from the 18th century, possibly from the Kangxi reign. The fig...Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rococo Blanc de Chine Porcelain Figural Grouping of Colonial MusiciansLocated in Big Flats, NYRococo Blanc de Chine porcelain figural group features musicians including seated Cello payer and violinist on scroll and foliate from base, crown stamp on base, circa 1880. Measur...Category
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Summer and Fall Figural GroupBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis beautiful Meissen Porcelain figure entitled Summer and Fall is part of the company's beloved Seasons series. The putti rest upon a rocaille-formed base holding representations o...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Other Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Meissen Porcelain, Singerie Style Monkey Musician FigurineBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn early Meissen Porcelain Singerie style Monkey Musician Figurine. Dressed in full male noble attire and wig the monkey merrily plays the trumpet assu...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Two European Blanc De Chine Porcelain Figures Of ElephantsLocated in Essex, MAOne on a marble base and the other on a bronze base. Nicely detailed .Bellevue Ave, Newport RI collection.Category
Antique 19th Century European Porcelain
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
- Meissen Porcelain Figural Group with a Musician Playing the DrumsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA lovely 19th century German Meissen porcelain figural group of a standing lady appealing to a standing gentleman and a musician sitting by their feet playing the drums. Late 19th century. Blue Meissen crossed sword...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Porcelain Meissen CockatooBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Lisboa, PTPorcelain Meissen cockatoo from 18th century. The Meissen porcelain factory has gained a reputation for its production of exquisite, high-quality por...Category
Antique 18th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How Do You Authenticate and Care for an Yves Saint Laurent Handbag?
When it comes to the legendary French design house, there is no substitute for true craftsmanship. Xupes shows us how to spot it.
The Personal Luxury Goods Market amid COVID-19
1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.