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Meissen Porcelain

German

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.

Antique Meissen Gold Ming Court Dragon Chinoiserie Tea Cup & Saucer Swords
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Meissen scalloped porcelain demitasse cup and saucer, numbered B117 with gold and red dot Chinese Court dragons. Measures: Saucer - 4.75...
Category

Early 20th Century Ming Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Musicians Seated in Ormolu Candelabra
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
Meissen Porcelain Figurines, Pair of seated Musician figures. 14cm high figures, Crossed swords mark to rear of base, c1745. Both figures mounted in an 18th Century ormolu arbour ...
Category

1740s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Ormolu

18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine, 'Pair of Gardeners', Model No 1584
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurines, Pair of Gardeners. Model 1584. A couple of gardeners, designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, with flowers and vegetable basket, sitting / s...
Category

1750s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine, 'Pair of Lovers', Model No 571
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurines, Pair of Lovers. Model 571. Sitting lovers, designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, above a base covered with plastic flowers and leaves, shep...
Category

1740s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Meissen Turkish Pair holding sweetmeat / table salt bowls
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Meissen Porcelain, Pair of Turkish figures holding sweetmeat / table salt bowl. These sweetmeat figures were made around 1745, the original models being done by J F Eber...
Category

1740s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Serving Tray with Green Decorations and Gold Trim
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Naples, FL
Excellent condition~no chips, cracks or crazing! Fine Meissen porcelain grand sized serving tray; the edge is a “ribbon” and scalloped design edged in outlined in bright gold; green ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Meissen Ceremonial Candelabra With Sculptured Cupids & Flowers, Ca 1850
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Michel Victor Acier 1, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
The three-sided base of the shaft rises on three sturdy, gold-embellished rocaille feet with gold-framed rocaille panels with fine, coloured bouquet painting, surrounded by abundant,...
Category

1850s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Meissen Bronze Table Lamps With Motto Children, by MV Acier, 1775-1814
By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1
Located in Vienna, AT
With porcelain figures from the original period of origin around 1775: Two electrified bronze lamps with gilding: a profiled pedestal in a triangular shape with beveled corners as a ...
Category

Late 18th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain

Materials

Bronze

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Meissen Porcelain furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Meissen Porcelain furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Meissen Porcelain furniture, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 555 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Meissen 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 KPM Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kändler, and Ernst August Leuteritz. Prices for Meissen Porcelain furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $69 and can go as high as $257,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,728.
Questions About Meissen Porcelain
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To spot a fake Meissen, first, check the maker’s mark, generally found on the bottom of the porcelain. Meissen used a simple mark, so if you spot one that appears too embellished, it may be a fake. Shop a collection of properly vetted Meissen porcelain from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

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