Large Meissen Porcelain Group of Lovers Kissing in the Ocean on a Rock
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
- Style:Aesthetic Movement (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1870
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919528534522
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Fabulous Meissen Porcelain Group of Count Bruhl's "Tailor on a Goat"By Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYMeissen's “Count Brühl’s Tailor on a Goat,” is considered by many professionals as one of Meissen's greatest works. This marvelous figure is after the incr...Category
Antique 1880s German Other Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Important Meissen Porcelain Groups of Caparisoned Elephants and SoldiersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn important pair of Meissen Porcelain Groups depicting "Alexander The Great Concurring India". Modeled with Alexander the great's three warriors/soldiers riding on caparisoned eleph...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin ChildBy J.J. Kändler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn important, extremely rare, and rather large 18th century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin Child, By Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler, Circa: 1744. This is an incredible and extremely rare 18th century Meissen Porcelain piece modeled by the greatest Meissen modeler ever in the Company, Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler. Thalia can be seen seated on a gorgeous hand-carved and hand-painted flowered and vined porcelain pedestal. Her right arm is raised holding a Phantom of the Opera Black and White Mask, while in her other arm is a young Harlequin dancing and singing holding a hat. Thalia is wearing a gilt-edged dark blue bodice with white floral decorations over a black corset draped in a red-over-yellow robe...Category
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th C Meissen Porcelain Allegorical Group of Three Putti with Musical MotifsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Beautiful 19th century Meissen Porcelain allegorical grouping of three putti with musical Motifs. One putti is seen with a trumpet in his hand, the other putti is seen playing a ly...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fine Pair of Meissen Porcelain Models of Eagles Resting on BranchesBy Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine pair of Early 20th Century Meissen Porcelain models of eagles naturalistically resting on branches. Each Eagle can be seen with their wings spread wide out and their beaks ope...Category
20th Century German Rococo Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of PuttiBy Heinrich Schwabe 1, Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Fantastic and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of Putti. Each is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted by the finest Meissen artists. They are both gorgeous with draped attire and a plethora of various day and night based attributes. Day is seen wearing a pink...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Revelry GroupsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis charming pair of Meissen porcelain figures celebrates the essence of Revelry. First modeled by the renowned Johann Joachim Kändler on bases by Peter Reinicke, circa 1767, these joyous groups depict musicians making merry by playing the French horn, flute, guitar and hurdy-gurdy, and gardeners carrying flowers in baskets and aprons. Two almost identical groups are featured in Meissen: Collector’s Catalogue by Laurence Mitchell. Figures by Kändler were especially popular and served as table decorations at courtly banquets. He took the reigns of the Meissen factory in 1733 and over the following 40 years created more than 900 models, many of which were considered the most important and beautiful ever produced. Many of his designs were so timeless and classic that they continued to be used well into the 19th century. Kändler was highly regarded especially for his allegorical representations and he was certainly at his best when designing the Four Continents...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- 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
- 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
- Meissen Porcelain Large Figurine Group 'Zephyr & Flora' By C.G. Juechtzer C.1860By Christian Gottfried Juechtzer, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATExcellent large and rare Meissen figurine group from the 19th century: The winged Zephyr, the gentle wind god, and Flora, goddess of vegetation and blossom, loosely wrapped in cloths...Category
Antique 1850s German Classical Greek Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBAntique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by Meissen German, c. 1750 Height 20.5cm, width 11cm, depth 12cm This charming Meissen porce...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Large Allegorical Group 'The Air' by M.V. Acier, Germany Around 1850By Michel Victor Acier 1, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATExcellent Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century: Depiction of a bearded old man with angel wings, covered only with a cloth, sitting in the middle of a mountain of clouds, probably Chronos from Greek mythology, symbolizing the passage of life and reminding us that time flies, holding a long staff (usually with sickle) in his hand, surrounded by winged putti, representing activities on and with air: To the right of the old man a standing putto with waving cloth, embracing a peacock, the bird of paradise and symbol of heaven, and breathing into a tube forming a soap bubble, in the foreground wind is produced with the help of a bellows, to the left of and behind Chronos two putti with garlands of flowers and a little bird in their hands. The group is based on an earth pedestal with piled up clouds and gold rim. Designer: MICHAEL VICTOR ACIER (1736 Versailles - 1799 Dresden) Trained as a sculptor in Paris, he received a call to the porcelain factory in Meissen in 1762: he created a large number of groups in the Watteau style...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain