Meissen Flower Seller Figure Cris of Paris 'Cris Series'
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.32 in (13.5 cm)Diameter: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Altrincham, 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: Altrincham, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Meissen Street Trader Waiter Cris of Paris 'Cris Series'By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBLate 19thc Meissen street trader waiter from the series of 35 figures known as the Cris of Paris. Number 1 Height 13.5cm Cross swords in underglaze ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Street Trader Figure Selling Grapes Cris of ParisBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen figure of street trader selling grapes. From the series of 35 figures known as the Cris of Paris. They were based on the drawings of Christopher ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Figure of Sense of Sight 'Senses Series'By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Figure of Sense of Sight from the series of the five senses. Model number E3. First modelled by J.C Schoenhelt in 1772. Height is 14cm. Underglaze blue crossed sword...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Figure of Air “Allegory of the Element Air” 'Element Series'By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GB“Allegory of the element air” J. Kaendler, 1770 Model Number: C 99 Circa 1880, painter’s mark in Orange. Height 13 cm, width 13 cm.Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Figure of the Hot Chocolate Maker Representing Fire 'Element Series'By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen figure of the hot chocolate maker representing fire from the series of four elements. First modelled by JJ Kaendler in 1770. Height 10cm 3.94in ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Gallant Holding FlowersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Figure of Gallant holding flowers first modelled circa 1765. Height 19.5cm Underglaze blue crossed swords underneath. Incised model number A58. circa 1870. ----SHIPPING -...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German 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
- Large Meissen Figure of a Standing LadyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA beautiful large 19th century Meissen porcelain figure depicting a standing maiden in period dress with elaborate floral decoration raising her apron. her corset and borders made fr...Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- A Large 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Fisherman with a NetBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Large 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Fisherman with a Net. As one's gaze ascends, attention is drawn to the fisherman's head, crowned by a wonderfully crafted utilitarian s...Category
Antique 1880s German Other Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Figural Sweetmeat Dishes, J.J. KandlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine pair of Meissen porcelain chinoiserie figural sweetmeat dishes, after a model by J.J. Kandler Each with a Malabar chinoiserie figure seated on...Category
Mid-20th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fine Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Rabbit after a Model by J. J. KandlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine Meissen Porcelain rabbit figure, after a model by J.J. Kandler; with blue double-crossed swords underglaze mark including a blue dot between swords, Indicative of the Pfeiffer...Category
Vintage 1920s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Model L125 Figure of A Cupid MockingBy Heinrich Schwabe 1, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GAMeissen, 19th century. A fine quality Meissen porcelain figure featuring a cupid figure draped in a purple cloth with petite wings and very realistic features. This piece was design...Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain