White and Gold Gilted Porcelain Plate by Meissen, Germany, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Diameter: 11.42 in (29 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Rijssen, NL
- 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: Rijssen, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Three Magical Fairy Tales Old Russia Plates by Gere FauthBy Villeroy & BochLocated in Rijssen, NLStunning a rare Villeroy & Boch limited edition collector’s plates from Heinrich Porsellan illustrated by Gere Frauth. The size of each plates is 8-1/2" in diameter. It comes with...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair Faceted Crystal and Gilt Sconces by Kinkeldey, GermanyBy KinkeldeyLocated in Rijssen, NLOne of the three pairs luxurious gold-plated frames and thick diamond crystal sconces by the famed maker, Kinkeldey. Two-light sources. Very elegant light fixtures, comfortable with ...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Gold Plate
- Pair of Crystal Gold-Plated Wall Sconces by Kinkeldey, Germany, 1970sBy KinkeldeyLocated in Rijssen, NLPair of golden sconces with crystal glasses, made by Kinkeldey, Germany, circa 1970-1979. It’s composed of four square crystal glass pieces on a gilded brass frame. Best of the 1970...Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Metal, Brass
- 1 of the 6 Faceted Crystal and Gilt Sconces by Kinkeldey, Germany, 1970sBy KinkeldeyLocated in Rijssen, NLA set of brass plated frames and thick diamond crystal sconces by the famed maker, Kinkeldey. Two-light sources. Very elegant light fixtures, comfortable with all decor periods. The ...Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsCrystal, Gold Plate
- Gold-Plated Kinkeldey Crystal Glass Flush Mount, Germany, 1970sBy KinkeldeyLocated in Rijssen, NLThis modernist design flush mount was designed by the Kinkeldey design team during the 1970s, and manufactured in Germany. A handmade and high quality piece. The crystals are meti...Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
MaterialsCrystal, Metal, Nickel
- Several Glass and Chrome Plated Wall Lamps by Hillebrand, Germany, 1960’sBy HillebrandLocated in Rijssen, NLSeveral nice wall lamps by Hillebrand, Germany. Chrome plated frame, thick clear glass shade, 1 E27 fitting, her on the photo with silver coloured mirrorhead bulbs. 1970’s. In very...Category
Vintage 1960s German Adam Style Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsChrome
- Meissen Germany Porcelain and Gold Baroque Dessert Plates, Set / 11By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLSet of 11 Meissen handmade porcelain dessert plates from the opulent Golden Baroque series. The plates have a white glaze finish with ornamental relief designs featuring grape leaf ...Category
Vintage 1950s German Baroque Revival Porcelain
MaterialsGold
- German Meissen Blue and White Porcelain Kitchen PiecesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA beautiful antique set of 6 German Meissen blue and white onion pattern porcelain kitchen cooking pieces/utenciles with wood turned hand...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain, Wood
- Meissen Gold and Floral Decor Porcelain PlateBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTGerman Meissen porcelain plate richly decorated with gold and hand painted floral decor.Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique German Meissen Hand Painted and Gilt Figural Porcelain CandlestickBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Big Flats, NYAntique Meissen porcelain figural candlestick features hand painted and gilt maiden in garden setting with candle stick having applied foliate and ivy decoration, "as is" with losses...Category
Antique 19th Century German Candlesticks
MaterialsPorcelain
- Porcelain Plate from Meissen, Germany, Late 19th CenturyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Chorzów, PLBlue onion plate from Meissen Germany Signature from late 19th century Very good condition, small chip shown at the picture.Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Germany Porcelain Gold Baroque Cups, Saucers, & Dessert Plates 40 pc/SetBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMeissen porcelain set from the opulent Golden Baroque series handmade in Germany. The set includes 40 pieces - 13 coffee cups / 16 saucers / 11 ...Category
Vintage 1950s German Baroque Revival Porcelain
MaterialsGold