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.
Meissen Applied Floral Porcelain Perfume Ewer Original Stopper, Germany, 1875
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Meissen Applied Floral Porcelain Perfume Ewer with Original Stopper exemplifies the extraordinary sculptural porcelain work that made the Meissen manufactory the benchmark for E...
Porcelain
Important Meissen Porcelain Figural Clock Group on Original Marked Plinth
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Lisse, NL
Crossed Swords with Star • Late 18th Century Porcelain • Museum Quality. An exceptional and highly important Meissen porcelain figural clock group, representing one of the manufacto...
Enamel, Brass
Extensive 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Dinnerware Service For Twelve People
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exceptional and extensive antique Meissen porcelain dinner service, made in Germany in the 19th century by the renowned Meissen manufactory. This complete and elegant service is d...
Porcelain
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Delft, NL
A 20th century Meissen porcelain set, Germany A porcelain set, manufactured by Meissen in Germany. The set painted with bright colors, red, blue, yellow and green in floral pattern....
Porcelain
White and Gold Gilted Porcelain Plate by Meissen, Germany, 1950s
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Rijssen, NL
Porcelain plate with a rich gold decor, made by Meissen Porcelain, Germany in around 1950. It was the first porcelain factory in Europe to produce true porcelain outside of Asia. T...
Porcelain
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
31 Pc Antique German Meissen Blue Onion Dinner Serving Tureens Platters Plates
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Meissen Blue Onion Dinner China Set. Includes: 4 Oval Platters (Graduated Sizes), Lidded Oval Soup Tureen, 9 Salad Plates (3 slightly different sizes), 2 Square Se...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of a Girl with Flower Basket
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique German porcelain figurine. By Meissen. In the form of a barefoot young girl in a dirndl dress carrying a wicker basket full of many different flowers. Atop a Rococo-style gilt plinth. Marked to the base with Meissen's blue underglaze crossed swords mark / an impressed 9 / an incised 'No. 5'. Simply a wonderful antique Meissen figurine...
Porcelain
18th Century Meissen Set 12 Baroque Porcelain Dining Dishes with Floral Decor
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brescia, IT
This baroque dining colorfully dishes set is eclectical and drawn with vibrant colors. The board is in a contemporary fuchsia color. Precious, fine, elegant and timeless dining set dishes. The Meissen manufacturer is an antique brand...
Meissen
Set of 4 Meissen Aquatinta Espresso Mocha Cups & Saucers Blue Floral Porcelain
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This elegant set of four Meissen mocha / espresso cups with matching saucers showcases the refined Aquatinta blossom decoration, rendered in delicate cobalt-blue floral motifs on a p...
Porcelain
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Rococó Porcelain Figural Cherub Jardinière or Centerpiece Bowl by Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Austrian porcelain centerpiece bowl or jardinière beautifully enameled in rich colors with floral sprays and gilt highlig...
Porcelain
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping Germany Circa 1880 This enchanting 19th-century Meissen birdcage grouping, made in Germany circa 1880, is a re...
Porcelain
Pair of Important Porcelain Vases with Female Heads by Augustus Rex for Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of important and very beautiful vases is made of ceramic with 2 female faces and beautiful and fine decors. These vases were made by Meissen manufacture after the model by ...
Porcelain
"Meissen" Bowls in Blue Onion pattern with Gold Edge
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Denton, TX
"Meissen" Blue Onion pattern with Gold Edge on the lace style bowl very rare.
Porcelain
20th Century Meissen Porcelain Box
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Beautiful Meissen porcelain box.
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Floral Encrusted Tea Cup & Saucer
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen, Germany, late 19th to early 20th century Hard-paste porcelain, hand-painted with polychrome enamels and gilt accents, applied porcelain flowers, five small knop feet. ...
Porcelain
Monumental 32" Meissen Schneeballen Covered Vase with Parrot and Birds
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental 19th Century Meissen Schneeballen Covered Vase with Birds, Parrots, Blossoms and Fruiting Branches This monumental 32-inch-high Meissen Schneeballen covered vase repres...
Gold, Enamel
$96,792Sale Price|35% Off
Rare Antique 102 piece Meissen „Flower Bouqet” Dinner Service, Germany 1840
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Rome, IT
Extensive 102 Piece Rare Meissen Dinner Service "Flower Bouqett", 1815 – 1860 , colorful, richly decorated gold rim, consisting of: 45 dinner p...
Porcelain
$10,126 / set
18th Century Meissen cups and saucers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Delft, NL
18th Century Meissen cups and Saucers This set consists of 9 cups and 9 saucers of Meissen porcelain. A high quality porcelain pro...
Porcelain
Vintage Meissen Porcelain Cobalt Blue & Gilt Butter Pat with Deutsche Blumen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed vintage German porcelain butter pat or small dish. By Meissen. With painted Deutsche blumen to the center and cobalt blue with gilt accents to the rim. Marked to the...
Porcelain
An Incredible 19th Century Meissen Porcelain “Elements” Ewer Emblematic of Water
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Very Unusual 19th Century Meissen Porcelain “Elements” Ewer Emblematic of Water. This large porcelain ewer is modeled in flattened baluster form with a shell molde...
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Rococo Style Flower-Encrusted Covered Urns from Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exceptional pair of 19th century Meissen porcelain covered urns, beautifully crafted in Germany during the mid to late 19th century by the renowned Meissen porcelain manufactory, ...
Gold
$16,106Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Rococo Meissen Germany Dinner Service 28 pieces
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
An extensive Meissen porcelain dinner service, from the 1860s. The set features hand-painted "Deutsche Blumen" (German flowers) and insects on "Neu Brandenstein" blanks, characteriz...
Porcelain
Pr. 19 C. Meissen Porcelain Birdcage Schneeballen Snowball Vase w/ Meissen Birds
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century Meissen Schneeballen/Snowball Covered Vase with Birds, Bird Cage with One Bird, Flowers. Each vase is of large size, with a baluster form body densely encrusted with clusters of small applied flowers arranged to resemble snowballs. Green vine-like stems and leaves wind around the surface, adding depth to the composition. The bodies are raised on spreading circular bases decorated with the same clustered blossoms and foliage. Pierced sections with latticework detail are present, incorporating floral sprays and framing small enclosed bird cages, each containing a modeled bird within. Applied birds are positioned throughout the vases, with lifelike natural coloration. Among them, bright yellow orioles with black wings and orange beaks, gray and black small birds, and reddish-brown finches with striped wings are depicted perched on branches or atop the covers. The lids are removable and are likewise encrusted with blossoms and vines, surmounted by perched songbirds. The combination of encrusted floral ground, modeled foliage, and naturalistic birds creates a richly detailed surface characteristic of Meissen’s snowball...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Pair Of Potpourri's Urn Vases
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This Meissen Porcelain Pair of Potpourri’s Urn Vases were repaired. It depicts a pair of porcelain lidded urn vases hand painted white color in the background with gilt details. The...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain 'Old Ozier' Pattern Cabinet or Dinner Plates
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 antique, 18th century German porcelain plates. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Old Ozier pattern. Each ...
Porcelain
$409Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Meissen Acanthus Leaf Mocha Teacup & Saucer 1st Choice White & Gold
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
Meissen Porcelain, blue sword mark 1st choice, Pfeiffer period 1924-1934, acanthus decor, model no. Y33 Dimensions: 5.75" x 3" (Diameter x Height)
Porcelain
Early Meissen Porcelain Teapot circa 1715 from the Arnhold Collection
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An early Meissen porcelain teapot made circa 1715, decorated by a Dutch hausmaler circa 1730-1740. The teapot is decorated in a Kakiemon pa...
Porcelain
Set of 24 Pieces German Meissen Porcelain Dinner Service with Floral Decor
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 24-piece set of German Meissen porcelain service from the 19th century, with floral decor. Born in Eastern Germany during the 19th century, each of this 24 pieces service features a lovely floral décor made of purple, pink, orange or yellow flowers with their green foliage, standing out beautifully on the white porcelain ground. Presenting large plates (9.75" D), small plates (8.5" D), bowls (9" D x 1.75" H) and a crescent dish...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Pair Of Gardener Figurines, By Kaendler & Schoenheit, Circa 1860
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Johann Carl Schoenheit, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Gardener couple consisting of two large single figures. The female gardener wears rural rococo clothing: a dress with elaborate decorations and pinned-up apron, corset and borders, a...
Porcelain
A 19th Century Meissen Porcelain ‘Elements’ Ewer Emblematic of Air
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century Meissen Porcelain ‘Elements’ Ewer Emblematic of Air This porcelain ewer is modeled in flattened baluster form with a flared spout, spreading foot, and elaborate figur...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Urn Snake Handles Amphora, Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An antique Meissen porcelain urn with snake handles amphora, circa early-20th century, Germany. This Meissen urn is hard-paste porcelain, hand painted, fea...
Porcelain
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Meissen Cabinet Vase with Applied Fruits and Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meissen cabinet vase with applied fruits and flowers, exquisite gourd bottle shape with numerous applied fruits and flowers, and painted with insects. ...
Porcelain
Large Meissen Group, Crinoline Lady Playing With Child, Paul Scheurich, Mid-20th
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine Group: Seated crinoline lady in an elaborate costume: under the wide skirt, partially turned up at the hem, you can see the pleated petticoat with a...
Porcelain
20th Century Meissen Iconic Blue Onion Set Germany First Choice
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
These fine porcelain pieces are decorated with the iconic Blue Onion pattern from Meissen. This reticulated plate features the iconic blue and white "Onion" pattern, a hallmark desig...
Porcelain
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Pair of Lovers' 'Liebespaar' circa 1745
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Pair of Lovers' 'Liebespaar' circa 1745 Sitting lovers, designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, above a base covered with plastic flowers and l...
Porcelain
Rococo Tea Coffee Service 6 Person Meissen Floral Cobalt Gold 23 items Neuer Aus
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
This is a Meissen porcelain coffee service “Neuer Ausschnitt" shape with hand-painted floral bouquets., a cobalt blue rim, and gilded edges. The set includes a coffee pot, tea pot, c...
Porcelain
Meissen Rococo Figural Sweetmeat Dish Seated Maiden with Twin Floral Baskets
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meissen Rococo Figural Sweetmeat Dish with Seated Maiden and Twin Floral Baskets, Germany, Circa 1880 Meissen Rococo Figural Sweetmeat Dish with Seated Maiden and Twin Floral Basket...
Porcelain
$11,912Sale Price|20% Off
Basket Chandelier In Green Lacquered Metal Foliage & Meissen Porcelain Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice important basket chandelier is made of green lacquered metal foliage and very nice and fine Meissen porcelain flowers. This is a French work in the Louis XVI style. Ci...
Brass
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figure of Cupid with a Cheese Press
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Lambertville, NJ
19th Century Meissen porcelain figure modeled to show the young putti with a cheese press, sat on a naturalistic rocky outcrop raised on circular base. Un...
Porcelain
Pair of Meissen Rococo Revival Porcelain Cherub Wall Corbels
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Worcester, GB
Pair of Meissen Rococo Revival Porcelain Cherub Wall Corbels A fine and highly decorative pair of Continental porcelain wall corbels in the Meissen style, dating from the early 20th...
Porcelain
Meissen Figurine “Armor unter dem Pantoffel” Cupid with Slipper, 19th Century
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A delightful antique Meissen porcelain figurine titled “Armor unter dem Pantoffel” (“Cupid Under the Slipper”), masterfully modelled and hand-painted in exquisite detail. The charmin...
Porcelain
$980Sale Price / set|30% Off
2 Antique Meissen German Porcelain Lidded Chocolate Tea Cups & Saucers on Stands
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of exquisite antique 19th century Meissen porcelain demitasse chocolate cups with lids and saucers, decorated with pink and gold borders and landscapes with stone buildings. Bot...
Porcelain, Hardwood
Meissen Snake-Handled "Schlangenvase" Urn Vase Lamp
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Meissen Snake-Handled "Schlangenvase" urn vase lamp, circa 1900, Gilt and painted in colors, the baluster body decorated with "Deutsche Blumen" on both...
Porcelain
$796Sale Price / set|20% Off
2 Pc, Meissen Porcelain Cobalt & Gold Rim Decorated Soup Tureen, Under Platter
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
2 Pc, Meissen Porcelain Cobalt & Gold Rim Decorated Soup Tureen, Under Platter. The soup tureen is classic porcelain white and decorated to t...
Porcelain
Pair 19th Century Meissen Hand-Painted Fruit Cabinet Plates Gilt Scalloped Edges
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of 19th-Century Meissen Hand-Painted Fruit Cabinet Plates with Gilt Scalloped Rims A refined pair of 19th-century Meissen porcelain cabinet plates,...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain "Grape Picker Boy" - Gardeners Series No. 8 Model
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen Porcelain "Grape Picker Boy" - Gardeners Series No. 8 Model. Meissen Grape Collector first modelled by J J Kaendler 1740 Number 8 From a series...
Porcelain
Large Pair Antique Porcelain Rococo Style Floral Flowers Mirrors
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Large Pair Antique Porcelain Rococo Style Floral Flowers Mirrors German, Late 19th Century Height 136cm, width 90cm, depth 17/ 20cm This exceptional pair of mirrors, crafted by ma...
Porcelain, Mirror
Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Four Piece Writing Desk Set With Butterflies
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Japanese four piece desk set with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. The set includes a pair of inkwells, a roller blotter, and a tray. Each ware is adorned with a polychrome desig...
Enamel
Rare pair Meissen Elephants, depicting Alexander the Great C19th.
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exceptional matched pair of 19th-century Meissen porcelain elephants vividly capturing the historical moment of Alexander the Great’s conquest of India. Each elephant is beautif...
Porcelain
$10,388Sale Price / set|20% Off
White Blue Porcelain Meissen Dinner Service 34 pieces Blue Bouquet Germany 1940
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Uppsala , SE
Absolutely amazing dinner service for 10 people 34 pieces Meissen Germany 1940-1950 1st factory quality Blue bouquet , gilt Delicately Hand-painted with a beautiful palette of blu...
Porcelain
Pr Meissen Porcelain Figures of Royal Lovers, Modeled by Johann Joachim Kändler
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Charming and Finely Executed Pair of Meissen Porcelain Figures Depicting Royal Lovers, modeled after 18th-century designs by Johann Joachim Kändler, Meissen’s celebrated master mod...
Porcelain
19th Century Signed Meissen Porcelain Artwork
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Roma, IT
A wonderful late 19th-Century Meissen blue onion square hand painted porcelain dish. Printed and impressed "Meissen" mark on reverse. This fine blue onion platter exhibits excellen...
Porcelain
6 Meissen Splendour Plates, Dulong Relief With Finest Bird Painting C. 1850
By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of 6 magnificent Meissen porcelain plates Shape: Dulong relief, scalloped edge Decoration: Overglaze painting, colourful pairs of birds on leafy branches in front of a landscap...
Porcelain
Vintage Meissen Porcelain Covered Dresser Box with Deutsche Blumen Decoration
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine German porcelain small box. By Meissen. Decorated with Deutsche Blumen floral sprays throughout both lid and body and with a gilt rim. Fully marked to the base. Simply wo...
Porcelain
5 Antique Meissen Porcelain Neoclassical Reticulated Bowls with Deutsche Blumen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 5 antique Neoclassical German porcelain bowls. By Meissen. Each with hand painted Deutsche Blumen floral sprays to the center wit...
Porcelain
Meissen Figurine 'Mask Dancer' From Hoffmann's Tales, by Paul Scheurich, 20th
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine: Dancer standing on one leg in a white Bajazzo suit with blue tassels, wearing the characteristic cap with an extra-long visor and cock feathers sti...
Porcelain
1880-1900, Meissen pierced porcelain plate - floral décor, gold accents - 9.8in
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
An exquisite pierced porcelain plate from the Meissen manufactory, hand-painted with a central bouquet of tulip, violets, and forget-me-nots, ...
Porcelain
Important Pair 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Orientalist Royal Figures on Elephants
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An Important Pair of Monumental 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figures of a Sultan and Sultana Riding Elephants, after the Models by Peter Reinicke and Johann Joachim Kaendler This ...
Gold, Enamel
Pair of Meissen Porcelain “Day and Night” Figures
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Meissen Porcelain “Day and Night” Figures This finely modeled pair of Meissen porcelain figures represents the allegorical subjects of Day and Night. Each figure stands on a...
Gold
$321Sale Price|50% Off
18th Century Meissen Cup and Saucer, Marcolini Period Floral Basket, Germany
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Andernach, DE
Unique antique Neoclassical cup and matching saucer from around 1775–1780. Hand painted and hand made, this is indeed a rare find of Germans most famo...
Porcelain