Dresden Porcelain Furniture
German
Dresden porcelain, as a term, is the subject of some confusion. In some contexts, it refers to the hard-paste ceramic wares produced by the workshops that sprang up in and around the Saxon capital in the 19th century. In others, it denotes only the output of one of these, Sächsische Porzellanmanufaktur Dresden, known in English as simply Dresden Porcelain, which was established in 1872 in the city of Freital, Saxony.
Complicating matters further, early publications about porcelain often used “Dresden” and “Meissen” interchangeably. It is true that the cities of Dresden and Meissen are connected through their long, shared history of decorative arts production and, in fact, most Meissen porcelain was sold in Dresden, the artistic and cultural center of Saxony.
However, Meissen is the site of the factory that produced the first European porcelain, at the turn of the 18th century, while Dresden did not come into prominence until the mid-19th century, during the high point of the Rococo revival. (Porcelain originated in China, which is why many collectors still seek out what they call "Dresden china.")
And while Meissen is known for manufacturing porcelain, from clay models through finished product, Dresden is celebrated for its decorating studios, of which there were several dozen in and around the city during the 19th century. Their skilled painters often used “blanks” from Meissen as their canvases. So a piece of Dresden porcelain may have been formed and fired at Meissen, painted in Dresden, and ultimately sold in one of that city’s shops.
The figurines, plates and vases produced during the 19th century via this complex process remain appealing to this day, their bright hues and pastoral imagery typical of the Rococo revival, which brought scrollwork, shells, foliage, flowers and fruit back into vogue after decades of restrained neoclassicism and austere Gothic Revival design. Dresden figurines, which like their Meissen counterparts were inspired by the characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, have a witty, cheerful quality that has been likened to that of scenes painted by Watteau and Fragonard.
Before its near-total destruction during World War II, Dresden was home to more than 200 painting studios.
The Dresden style, however, is associated with wares bearing the blue crown mark (Meissen’s mark is a pair of cobalt blue crossed swords), which was first registered in 1883 by Richard Klemm, Donath & Co, Oswald Lorenz, and Adolph Hamann. Prominent painters from this period include Helena Wolfsohn, Franziska Hirsch, Ambrosius Lamm — whose skill in the application of metallic or lustre paints is on lavish display in this dinner service from the 1920s — and Carl Thieme, a master in floral painting, as demonstrated by his decoration on this circa 1901 ram’s head urn.
Dresden painters also used a decorative technique known as “Dresden lace.” This involved dipping real lace into liquid porcelain and applying it to a figure, which was then fired in a kiln. The fabric would burn away, leaving a fragile, crinoline-like shell — the type of delicate and whimsical detail that characterizes Dresden porcelain, one of Europe’s great ceramic traditions.
Find authentic antique Dresden porcelain on 1stDibs.
43
2
to
6
28
13
45
45
45
6
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
22
21
2
15
2
3
2
2
43
43
3
2
2
39
38
1
19
5,174
4,014
2,457
2,236
Creator: Dresden Porcelain
Victorian Dresden Hand Painted Porcelain Courting Couple Figurine - Germany
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A ceramic figurine of a courting couple. This Victorian piece is created from a crisp white ceramic and features a man and woman perched upon a tree log. They lean into one another a...
Category
20th Century German Victorian Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
Antique German Dresden Carl Thiem Reticulated Cake Plate
By Dresden Porcelain, Carl Thieme
Located in Frederick, MD
This beautiful antique porcelain cake plate is by Carl Thieme for Dresden China. The intricate reticulated cutouts at the handles are expertly done while the hand painted floral gard...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of German Porcelain Parrots Signed Dresden
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage life size porcelain parrots hand decorated with vivid tropical colors and perched on tree trunks. Signed Dresden on the bottoms.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Dresden Porcelain Macaw Figurine
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Very large porcelain figurine of a macaw (or parrot) from the Dresden firm of Sächsische Porzellan-Manufaktur Dresden GmbH, aka Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in Dresden Ltd. in excellent condition.
Signed with the SP Dresden blue...
Category
20th Century German Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain table lamp 1910 Germany
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Classic table lamp ,signed Dresden porcelain . Beautiful Red color ,
comes with gold musical medallion in the middle .
Category
1910s German Victorian Vintage Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
6 Antique German Dresden Meissen Klemm Carl Thieme Pitcher Tea Cups Plates
By Dresden Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain, Klemm & Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique lot includes creamer, demitasse cup, and two bone dishes by Dresden, one demitasse cup by Meissen, and one candlestick by Klemm.
“The Sächsische Porzellan-Manufaktur Dresden GmbH (Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in Dresden Ltd), generally known in English as Dresden Porcelain, is a German company for the production of decorative and luxury porcelain. Founded in1872, it is located in Potschappel, a suburb of the town of Freital in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Dresden, the capital of Saxony. Dresden Porcelain introduced its blue "SP Dresden" trademark in 1902.”
"Meissen porcelain or Meissen china was the first European hard-paste porcelain. Early experiments were done in 1708 by Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus. After his death that October, Johann Friedrich Böttger continued von Tschirnhaus's work and brought this type of porcelain to the market, financed by Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. The production of porcelain in the royal factory at Meissen, near Dresden, started in 1710 and attracted artists and artisans to establish, arguably, the most famous porcelain manufacturer known throughout the world. Its signature logo, the crossed swords, was introduced in 1720 to protect its production; the mark of the swords is reportedly one of the oldest trademarks in existence. Meissen remained the dominant European porcelain factory, and the leader of stylistic innovation, until somewhat overtaken by the new styles introduced by the French Sèvres factory in the 1760s, but has remained a leading factory to the present day. Since 1991, the manufactory has been operating as the Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH,[2] whose owner is the Free State of Saxony. The company is one of the world's leading porcelain manufacturers and one of the oldest and most internationally known German luxury brands."
"Karl Richard Klemm founded a porcelain decorating studio in Striesen bei Dresden in 1869. The porcelain was obtained primarily from the Meissen factory itself, much of it being seconds. The decorating style of Richard Klemm closely matched that of the Meissen factories at that time. He often used a heavily applied style that focused on florals. In many instances, the porcelain pieces of Richard Klemm are emblazoned with a gold leaf at the base. This gold leaf was used to hide the marks made by the original manufacturer of the blanks that he used for decorating. Richard Klemm, along with Helena Wolfsohn, Karl Thiem, Ambrosius Lamm and Donath & Co., were among the most sought after porcelain decorating studios at this time. In the early 1880's Richard Klemm registered his mark, the "Klemm Dresden...
Category
Early 20th Century Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Louis XVI Style Sèvres Style Ram Motif Flower Pot Cache Pot, Carl Thieme Dresden
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis XVI Style Sèvres Style Ram Motif Flower Pot Cache Pot, Carl Thieme Dresden
Dresden, circa 1900s
The Louis XVI style Sèvres style ram motif flower pot cache pot is a remarkable ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Louis XVI Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Meissen Style Porcelain and Ebonised Wood Mirrored Wall Brackets
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Pair of Meissen style porcelain and ebonised wood mirrored wall brackets
German, late 19th Century
Height 88cm, width 36/40cm, depth 19cm
This superb pair of wall brackets are a ma...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Mirror
Fantastic German TOILET in Ebonized Wood and Dresden Porcelain 19th Century
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Madrid, ES
Fantastic TOILET
German in ebonized wood and German Dresden porcelain.
Polychrome decoration with embossed flowers with puttis and two drawers.
19th Century
Dim.: 155 x 54 x 46 cm
...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Antique Carl Thieme German Dresden Footed Reticulated Baroque Compote 11"
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Carl Thieme German Dresden centerpiece compote. Made of porcelain featuring high relief footed base and reticulated / pierced scalloped bowl with two colonial figures, a man...
Category
Early 20th Century German British Colonial Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Dresden Germany Porcelain Cobalt Blue Urns, circa 1920
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Gardena, CA
Pair Dresden Germany Porcelain Urns. A matte cobalt blue ground with hand painted courting scenes to the central area. Marked to underside.
...
Category
1920s Vintage Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique German Helena Wolfson Dresden Three Handle Loving Cup Vase Urn 19thCent
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally fine quality hand painted Dresden stoneware three handle loving cup of traditional circular flared outline and generous size. Last half of the nineteenth century.
With three hand painted classical scenes of Ladies in landscape in Eighteenth century dress, separated by three large lavish gilded handles. This wonderful piece is supported by three gilded claw feet.
*In our opinion and the quality of painted decoration these pieces were decorated by Dresden studio of Helena Wolfson...
Category
Late 19th Century German Early Victorian Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Schumann Dresden Porcelain Floral Reticulated Pierced Scallop Bowl
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Naples, FL
Excellent condition~no chips or cracks! Decorated multicolor floral pattern on a white porcelain bowl; scalloped edge with gold filigree and pierced sides for added design; a great a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
German Dresden Porcelain Serpentine Vibrant Foliage Wall Mirror, Signed, C 1870
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Hollywood, SC
German Dresden porcelain serpentine vibrant foliage wall mirror, signed on reverso, late 19th century mirror retains the original silvered glass and wood ...
Category
1870s German Rococo Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint, Porcelain
Antique Signed Dresden Porcelain Urn Vase in Pink Gilded Handles Courting Scene
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Greer, SC
Stunning large antique Dresden porcelain vase in the shape of an urn, featuring a luscious pink color with gilded accents and a courting scene. Signed / hallmarked " Dresden " with w...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Rococo Revival Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Late 19th Century Dresden Parcel-Gilt and Biscuit Porcelain Jardinière
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality late 19th century Dresden parcel-gilt and biscuit porcelain jardinière.
The border moulded with cherubs and applied with rams’ heads above a relief of putti with ga...
Category
Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Dresden Hand Painted Watteau Subjects Dinner Plates Carl Thieme
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a set of 12 hand painted Dresden dinner plates depicing Classic Watteau scenes surrounding the borders with masterfully hand painted centers, each a unique scene. The central...
Category
1910s German Vintage Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Scheibe Alsbach Kister Porcelain Nude Putti Riding Thuringian Goat Figurine
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Scheibe Alsbach Kister German porcelain nude putti riding thuringian goat figurine.
Additional information:
Materials: Porcelain
Color: Pink
B...
Category
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
12 Lamm Dresden Arts & Crafts Raised Paste Gold & Cream Dinner Service Plates
By Ambrosius Lamm, Dresden Porcelain
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 dinner plates are made by the iconic Ambrosius Lamm Dresden in a rare Arts & Crafts style decoration featuring a clear white cent...
Category
1920s German Arts and Crafts Vintage Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Richard Klemm Dresden Miniature Porcelain Portrait Cabinet Vase of Antoinette
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an excellent high quality porcelain vase. It is depicting a portrait of Antoinette in the center framed with gilt wreath of olives leaves against ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Empire Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Dresden Porcelain Swans
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair Dresden porcelain hand painted Swans each with wonderful bold colouring, signed to the base in blue Dresden and stamped. Measure: 11".
Category
Early 20th Century German Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden, Blue Bird & Floral Porcelain Plaque, Signed, Germany, circa 2002
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Chatham, ON
DRESDEN - Blue bird and floral porcelain plaque - beautiful and fine hand painting with a subtle shaded background - signed GP and dated lower right - impressed mark on the back side...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Dresden Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vases
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Pair of Dresden porcelain and gilt bronze vases.
German, late 19th century.
Measures: height 57cm, width 39cm, depth 33cm.
This fine pai...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century Porcelain Model of a Bolognese Dog, After J. Kirchner
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous antique 19th century porcelain model of a bolognese dog, signed Deresden in Underglaze blue mark, After the Original Meissen Model by Johann G...
Category
Early 1900s German Louis XVI Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Pair of Dresden Helena Wolfson Hand Painted Bottle Vases Floral Scenes
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A stylish matched pair of hand painted Dresden bottle vases, last quarter of the 19th century.
Each of bulbous body form with tall slender necks, superbly hand decorated in colors...
Category
19th Century German Late Victorian Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
Pair of Hand-Painted Porcelain Vases in the Neoclassical Style
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
A superbly decorative pair of neoclassical lidded porcelain vases, exquisitely hand-painted in blue and white colours and gilded throughout.
Germany, early 20th century
We love the...
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Revival Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Two Antique Dresden Hand-Painted Reticulated Cabinet Plates
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A finely worked pair of antique Dresden reticulated cabinet plates.
Each with hand-painted decoration.
Diameter: ca. 9 1/2 in.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
German Pair of Dresden Male & Female Bulldog Porcelain Figures
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German Pair of Dresden Male & Female Bulldog Porcelain Figures (Late 19th Century).
Category
19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Antique Dresden White Porcelain Dinner Plates with Gilt Decoration
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of 12 antique porcelain dinner plates were made by the renowned Dresden factory of Germany in approximately 1890 in a Rococo R...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Revival Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain, Amphora, Lid Vase, Urn, with Gold Painting
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Dresden Porcelain, amphora, lid vase, urn with gold painting.
Category
20th Century Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Large Antique Richard Klemm Dresden Porcelain Platter with Deutsche Blumen Decor
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine and large Dresden porcelain tray or platter by Richard Klemm.
With a ribbed, scalloped border and deep central well.
Richly decorated with ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain, Amphora, Lid Vase, Urn, with Gold Painting
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Dresden porcelain, amphora, lid vase, urn. With gold painting.
Category
20th Century Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Wonderful Service for 12 Pierced Hand Painted Porcelain Dresden Dessert Plates
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful service for 12 pierced hand painted porcelain Dresden dessert plates.
Category
Early 20th Century German Belle Époque Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Set of Twelve Late 19th Century German Dresden Porcelain Collector Plates
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A rare and fantastic set of twelve late 19th century German Dresden Porcelain collector plates
Each plate finely painted with a different historical or mythological portrait...
Category
Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Exquisite Dresden Porcelain Peacock Tail Closed Facing Forward Figurine Germany
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Tustin, CA
Handmade, hand painted, collectible estate figurine from Dresden Porcelain in Germany is a brightly colored, beautifully sculpted, proud male peacock who is facing forward, with his ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Collection of Fourteen Porcelain Plates by Various German Makers
By Dresden Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Collection of fourteen porcelain plates by various German makers
German, circa 1900
Measures: Largest height 4cm, diameter 23cm
Smallest height 3cm, diameter 19cm
Each of the f...
Category
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Four Orange and Gilt Painted Plates
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Set of four orange and gilt painted plates. Set of four shaped and painted plates with iron red/orange painted scenes of Continental harbours, castles and landmarks with gilt surroun...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain Place Card Holders
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 12 porcelain Dresden place card holders. With hand-painted flowers and gold trim.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Baroque Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelaine 'Signed' Candlestick
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in Miami, FL
Very refined and elegant pair. Delicate shape and original piece of art. Extremly delicate colors, garlands of flowers. From the quality and the design, will fit in any refined inter...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Dresden Porcelain Reticulated Fruit Basket and Stand by Adolf Hamann
By Dresden Porcelain, Adolf Hamann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A delicate and intricately worked antique Dresden Porcelain Fruit Basket and Underplate. The form is rare and a technical tour de force. Few of ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Dresden Porcelain Figures and Groups
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
This charming set comprises twelve decorated figures and figural groups that one might encounter on a stroll through an 18th century town. The set includes animals, musicians, dancer...
Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Dresden porcelain cabinet plate depicting the Madonna after Raphael
By Dresden Porcelain, (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in London, GB
Antique Dresden porcelain cabinet plate depicting the Madonna after Raphael
German, c. 1880
Height 2.5cm, diameter 19.5cm
This finely painte...
Category
Late 19th Century German Renaissance Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Very Impressive Pair of 19th Century Dresden Vases
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
This pair of Dresden or Helena flower encrusted vases are in Meissen style.
The vases have hand painted cartouches after the French court artist...
Category
Late 19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large 19th Century Porcelain Plaque
By Dresden Porcelain
Located in London, GB
A beautiful mid-19th century porcelain plaque of a semi-nude woman in a blue toga, reclining by a lake and reading a book.
Probably German, Dresden factory, circa 1860.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Six Dresden Reticulated Painted Watteau Scenic Cabinet Plates by Carl Thieme
By Dresden Porcelain, Carl Thieme
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Six Dresden reticulated painted Watteau scenic cabinet plates by Carl Thieme, each one exquisitely painted and gilt with a different garden scene. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Dresden porcelain furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of porcelain and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dresden Porcelain furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Dresden Porcelain were created in the Rococo style in europe during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Johann Joachim Kändler, Johann Friedrich Eberlein, and Michel Victor Acier. Prices for Dresden Porcelain furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $100 and can go as high as $36,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,875.
Creators Similar to Dresden Porcelain
Questions About Dresden Porcelain Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024The famous porcelain from Dresden is usually just referred to as Dresden porcelain. However, its maker is Sächsische Porzellan-Manufaktur Dresden GmbH, which translates to Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in Dresden Ltd. The company opened in Potschappel, a suburb of Freital in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district of Dresden, in 1872. Find a variety of Dresden porcelain on 1stDibs.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Dresden Porcelain Furniture
Dresden Porcelain Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Dresden Porcelain Sculptures
Dresden Porcelain Dinner Plates
Dresden Porcelain Bowls and Baskets
Dresden Porcelain Platters and Serveware
Dresden Porcelain Boxes
Dresden Porcelain Wall Mirrors
Dresden Porcelain Vases
Dresden Porcelain Animal Sculptures
Dresden Porcelain Decorative Bowls
Dresden Porcelain Figurative Sculptures