Meissen Porcelain Figural Group with a Musician Playing the Drums
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Repaired: The group is in good condition, with some areas of minor professional repairs. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU986229577522
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Set of 12 Meissen "Motto Children" FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntique Meissen complete 12 piece set - "Motto Children" after models by Acier (after drawings by Schoenau). Each figure with an inscribed motto in French on the base that reads as ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German 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
- Very Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Day and Night FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA magnificent pair of very large Meissen putti representing Day & Night by Heinrich Schwabe. Each figure wrapped in a cloth, float above the earth's atmo...Category
Antique 1870s German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Bust of a ChildBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge Meissen Porcelain modeled as a bust of a young child wearing a floral decorated cap, wearing open shirt with floral embellished sash. Late 19th century Crossed swords in ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Articulated Nodding Head Pagoda FigureLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Meissen Porcelain articulated nodding head pagoda figure. 20th century, blue crossed swords mark on the neck, numbered 67827, painter 126D, body mark...Category
20th Century Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Two-Tier Dessert Dishes with Gilt BronzeLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain two-tier dessert dishes with Gilt Bronze Dimensions: Height: 13", Width: 9" Signed with 19th century Meissen double sword mark Excel...Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Porcelain
MaterialsOrmolu
- 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 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
- 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
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of a Child Playing a LuteBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany in approximately 1850 in their period Dresden romantic style. The figurine is composed of their paste porcel...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Romantic Figurative Sculptures
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 Genre Love Group With Drum Beater, by F.E. Meyer, Germany Circa 1850By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATExceptional Meissen porcelain group: On rock pedestal fixed with large rocailles in the foreground sitting musician with tricorn, frock coat over wide sh...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain