Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
to
74
404
3
1
60
204
140
4
62
35
11
22
11
4
2
6
5
1
3
1
108
35
34
15
12
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
1
1
408
400
19
7
5
206
190
395
379
4
3
1
408
408
408
599
471
439
408
402
Creator: Meissen Porcelain
Rare 19th C. Meissen ‘Schneeballen’ 'Snowball' Covered Bowl & Plate W/ Birds
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Rare 19th Century Meissen Porcelain ‘Schneeballen’ (Snowball) Covered Bowl and Underplate with Encrusted Flowers, Vines, Leaves, and Birds. This piece is very rare and extremely hi...
Category
1850s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Meissen Porcelain Openwork Filigree Centerpiece w/ Raised Flowers 19C
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Openwork Filigree Centerpiece with Relief Flowers, Vine Handles, and Painted Flower Decoration. The centerpiece features an intricate open...
Category
1870s German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Very Rare Meissen Porcelain Tureen and Cover with Vegetable and Lobster Top
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Very Rare Meissen Porcelain Tureen and Cover with Vegetable and Lobster Top. After the model from the 'Brühlsche Allerlei' service, painted with flower sprays, the ...
Category
1880s German Rococo Revival Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Pair German Dresden Meissen Still Life Flowers Cabinet Leaf Form Plates
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exceptionally rare set of two German Meissen Floral Themed Porcelain cabinet plates of leaf form outline, mid nineteenth century.
Each central reserve exquisitely hand painted with scattered views of decorative still life of Summer flowers and old roses on an off-white ground.
Both plates with applied naturalistic branch handles with flower encrusted detailing.
Condition: Exceptional condition for such early pieces, with no losses, very light evidence of wear to gilding. Crossed swords marks in underglaze blue, impressed numerals on each verso.
Measures: Width: (entire) 8.5” (21.5cm). Height: 7” (18cm).
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Affordable fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping.
Provenance: From the Collection of Kenneth Neame...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century, Meissen Porcelain Ram's Head & Floral Centerpiece
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Meissen porcelain centerpiece of oval openwork construction, two floral windows oppose each of the main bodies of the piece and are flanked by a pair of beautiful ram's head handle...
Category
19th Century German Neoclassical Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Superb 19th C Meissen Hand Painted Porcelain Plaque 18.75" Fruit Subjects
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Great Barrington, MA
The best of the best, this extraordinary Meissen 19th c. plaque is hand painted with fruit subjects on 18 3/4" diameter porcelain, ready to hang on your wall for all to enjoy. The de...
Category
1890s German Belle Époque Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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...
Category
Early 18th Century German Other Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Three German Porcelain Bird Figures by Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Set of three German porcelain bird figures by Meissen
German, 20th Century
Largest (magpie): Height 21cm, width 10cm, depth 5cm
This exquisite t...
Category
20th Century German Rococo Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Nine Antique Meissen Porcelain Dinner Plates Germany Circa 1840
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of nine Meissen plates was produced at the Meissen factory in Germany circa 1840.
They have an elegant design with delicate floral patterns painted...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen German Weiss Porcelain Garden Bird Figure
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From a collection of white and blanc de chine figures we are pleased to offer this fine German porcelain figure of a garden bird by renowned maker Meissen ...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen - 4 cups and saucers 'Strohblumenmuster', Marcolini period 1774-1814
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in DELFT, NL
Set of 4 cups and saucers in the beloved strawflower or Strohblumenmuster.
Reliefdecor "Gebrochener Stab" hemispherical cup with standring, handle and fine cobalt blue underglaze pa...
Category
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Reticulated Cabinet Plate with Flower Bouquet and Raised Forget Me Nots
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
This is an exquisite Meissen cabinet plate painted with a large beautiful flower bouquet. The Meissen plate has a very intricate reticulated or ...
Category
1890s German Romantic Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Very Early Meissen Lidded Tureen With Cornucopia Putto On Presentoir, 1763-1773
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Oval porcelain vessel on a flat stand with slightly bulging walls, with two rocaille handles with asparagus bundles, the slightly outward-turned opening edge serving as a support for...
Category
Late 18th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Twelve Meissen Dessert Plates, Each with Museum Quality Paintings of Fruits
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
Magnificent set of twelve Meissen fruit or dessert plates with museum quality paintings of different fruits on each plate. If you scroll through the pict...
Category
1870s German Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Candlestick Holder Ornate Yellow Dragon
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Delft, NL
Meissen Porcelain candlestick holder ornate yellow Dragon
Meissen Porcelain ornate yellow Dragon candlestick holder. The rims and pattern...
Category
Late 20th Century German Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain, Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with Love Bird C1870
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Meissen Porcelain, Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with Love Bird C1870, SUPREME
A Meissen porcelain figure from the Love Series: Cupid Mailing...
Category
1860s German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Large 121 Total Piece 20th C. Meissen Porcelain Green Vine Table Service
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Tremendously Large 121 Piece 20th Century Meissen Porcelain Green Vine Table Service. This service is fully complete with an exuberant number of pieces which can we used in all di...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Other Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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.
...
Category
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figures of a Man and Woman in Attire
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figures of a Man and Woman in 18th C. Attire. This pair of figures depicts a man and woman in 18th-century pastoral attire, each standing on a gilt-accented rocaille base. The woman wears a cream-colored tricorn hat with a floral accent, a fitted blue bodice with detailed buttons and ruffled cuffs, and a flowing skirt with a delicate purple floral pattern. She holds a white cloth in one hand while raising the other in an expressive gesture. Her finely painted features, softly curled hair, and light blue shoes...
Category
1860s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Genuine Meissen Reticulated Porcelain Cattle Plate
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Newark, England
With Finely Painted Cattle Scenes
From our Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer this very unusual Meissen Reticulated Porcelain Plate. The Meissen Plate is beautifully po...
Category
Mid-19th Century German High Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Purple Indian Serving Bowl
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
We are offering you this lovely Meissen purple Indian serving bowl. It has detailed paintings of pink flowers with some purple and gold accents ...
Category
1960s German Rococo Vintage Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
18th-century Meissen Miniature Turquoise-Ground Botanical Teapot and Cover
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Downingtown, PA
Meissen miniature Turquoise-ground teapot and cover,
1735-40
The Meissen porcelain miniature teapot has a turquoise ground with a shaped cartouche ...
Category
1730s German Georgian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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...
Category
1810s German Neoclassical Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Pot-Pourri Vase, Germany, 19th Century
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Meissen porcelain pot-pourri vase, Germany, 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Antique 18C Meissen Porcelain Neuozier Marcolini Period Plates with Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Neuozier pattern plates.
By the Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory.
Decorated with Deutsche Blumen floral sprays to the center and sides including roses...
Category
Late 18th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Cabinet Plates with Cherubs
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extraordinarily fine set of Meissen Porcelain cabinet plates.
Each with a gilt scalloped rim, a pierced or reticulated border (with a left-hand twist), and centers with varying...
Category
19th Century German Art Nouveau Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen German Weiss Porcelain Garden Bird Figure
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From a collection of white and blanc de chine figures we are pleased to offer this fine German porcelain figure of a garden bird by renowned maker Meissen ...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Four Elements Porcelain Ewers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extremely rare and important set of four Meissen ewers represents the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire. Impressive in both size and artistry, they are among the most fa...
Category
19th Century German Other Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Ten Meissen Blue Onion Large Crescent Shaped Dishes
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
I would like to offer you this rare set of ten blue onion Meissen large crescent shape dishes. This shaped dish was originally used to put along the side of your dinner plates to col...
Category
1930s German Other Vintage Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Large 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Model of the Continent of Asia, Lady on Camel
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent and Large 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Model of the Continent of Asia. The figure wears an elaborate headdress with a blue and white mitre-like structure adorned with...
Category
1860s German Other Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Rare 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Carp/Fish Form Covered Tureen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare and Impressive 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Carp/Fish Form Covered Tureen. This covered tureen was produced by the Meissen porcelain manufactory in Germany during...
Category
1860s German Other Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Fine and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Parrots
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Fine and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Parrots. Each parrot is depicted perched on a detailed tree stump base, with bark and foliage carefully painted to mimic natur...
Category
1870s German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Germany Porcelain Gold Baroque Cups, Saucers, & Dessert Plates 40 pc/Set
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Meissen porcelain set from the opulent Golden Baroque series handmade in Germany. The set includes 40 pieces - 13 coffee cups / 16 saucers / 11 ...
Category
1950s German Baroque Revival Vintage Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Gold
Meissen Coffee Set For 6 Persons Diadem, Indian Border No. 129, 20th Century
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Meissen Coffee & Dessert Set for 6 Persons:
Decor number 363610 - Diadem, Indian border No. 129 - light, colourful with copper tones, gold edge
23 parts:
1 Coffee pot with lid - H ...
Category
1960s German Other Vintage Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Antique German Meissen Porcelain Openwork Compotes Footed Gilt Floral Bowls
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Portland, OR
A very good pair of antique mid 19th century Meissen porcelain compotes or footed bowls, circa 1850.
The bowls are very finely made of open pierced work, with a band of diamond shape...
Category
1850s German Rococo Revival Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Blanc de Chine Porcelain Jester and Monkey Figure
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine vintage Meissen porcelain blanc de chine figure of a Jester with a monkey and owl dating from the 20th century. The figure stands on a narr...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Figurine 'Estrella', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine:
Dancer balancing on her toes, turning her head to the right and bringing her right hand indecisively to her chin, while with her left hand she perf...
Category
Late 20th Century German Biedermeier Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Antique Meissen 68-piece floral dinner service
German, c. 1900
Largest serving dish: Height 6cm, width 52.5cm, depth 37.5cm
Square salad bowl:...
Category
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century German Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain, Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with Love Bird C1870
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Meissen Porcelain, Love Series: Cupid Mailing a Love Letter with Love Bird C1870, SUPREME
A Meissen porcelain figure from the Love Series: Cupid Mailing...
Category
1860s German Louis XVI Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Meissen Dot Period Porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer and Coffee Cup, 1763 - 1774
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A Meissen Dot Period Porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer and Coffee Cup, 1763 - 1774
Additional information:
Date : 1763 - 1774
Period : Augustus III
Mark...
Category
18th Century German Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Hand Painted Gilded Porcelain Plate/Tray
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vilnius, LT
Meissen Porcelain plate/tray with hand painted floral motives and rich gold decor.
Category
Mid-20th Century German Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Mount Parnassus
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Monumental Meissen Porcelain Figural Group of Apollo and the Nine Muses on Mount Parnassus.
Comprised of sixteen interlocking parts. Apollo standing holding a lyre and with Pegasus besides a tree, atop a rocky outcrop detailed with foliage and waterfalls above nine goddesses:
Calliope, seated and shown writing, representing eloquence and epic poetry.
Clio, seated with an open book and blowing a trumpet, representing history.
Erato, seated and holding a kithara, representing science and the arts
Euterpe, seated and holding a flute, representing music.
Melpomene, seated holding a knife and with one hand to her head, representing tragedy.
Thalia, seated and holding aloft mask, representing comedy and idyllic poetry.
Urania, seated with telescope and globe, representing astronomy and astrology,
Polyhymnia, standing with one hand raised and holding a book, representing sacred poetry.
Terpsichore, standing, representing dance.
Each piece exceptionally finely detailed and painted. The base portions with rocaille edges. On a later black polished wooden base.
Multiple blue crossed swords marks. Each piece titled to underside.
German, Circa 1880.
Mount Parnassus, is a spur of the Pindus Mountains in central Greece and was sacred to the ancient Greeks and in mythology to Apollo, the god of music and poetry and of the Sun and light. Mount Parnassus the mythical centre of poetry, music, and learning in ancient Greece was a popular theme in Barqoue and Rococo art, often substitutable with Athena’s arrival at Mount Helicon from the fifth book of Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”, where she asks the Muses to show her the new spring which gushed forth from the spot where Pegasus “with his hoof of horn opened the earth” (V, 250-260).
Here, the mountain, formed from rugged rock cliffs, culminates in a plateau on which the youthful Apollo stands and plays the lyre. The Castalian spring flows from beneath Pegasus’ hoof, representing the source of inspiration and attracting the nine muses, who embody the arts and inspire creation through song, music, and dance.
Mount Parnassus was created at the Meissen porcelain manufactory as a table centrepiece and an earlier version, apparently with only five muses, is listed in the inventory of the pastry shop of the Meissen manufactory manager and cabinet minister Heinrich Graf Brühl in 1753. The storage in the pastry shop of approximately 3,000 objects and dishes, including many individual parts for centrepieces, is related to their function as table decorations, replacing decorations previously made by the confectioner from perishable materials such as sugar or wax.
The purpose of this table decoration was as a feast for the eyes to accompany the feast of the banquet. The sculptural figurines often depicted a particular theme, with characters drawn from theatre and opera, from classical mythology or pastoral idylls. Allegories and mythological themes, such as the glorification of fine arts, were also popular. Stylistically, Mount Parnassus fits Kändler’s style of the 1740s, and was sold by Brühl in 1762 to Frederick the Great of Prussia who used mythology as a means of self-expression and had already ordered individual figures of Apollo and the Muses as table decorations in 1744. Today it is in the Museum of Applied Arts, Frankfurt (inv. no. M.L. 41). There is another version of Mount Parnassus, from the collection of Prince Alexander Dolgorukoff, in the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg.
The present version dates to the second half of the nineteenth century when there was a great revival of Kändler rococo figurines which were reissued and a “Second Rococo”. Another nineteenth century example is in the collection of the Museo Francesco Borgogna, Italy (inv. 1906, XIII, 19-20). These nineteenth century versions were made by the Meissen factory using Kändler's period models. It is recorded that a new version of Mount Parnassus, dating to the 1880s, was part of the Royal Porcelain collection in Dresden:
'In the porcelain collection there is a new version from the 1880s based on the old models, the largest group of this genre, the Parnassus, which shows the named muses all around on the lower part of the rock, each practising their own art, while on the top there is Apollo with the lyre and next to it the Castalian spring rises from the hoofbeat of Pegasus. Each figure is executed individually with its rocky background, and all the pieces are then fitted together, as we have already seen in his earlier, larger compositions. The rock pieces are finished off like a pedestal at the bottom with Rococo ornaments.' (Jean Louis Sponsel, Kabinettstücke der Meissner Porzellan-manufaktur von Johann Joachim Kändler, Leipzig, 1900, pp. 203-204).
Kunst und kunsthandwerk; monatsschrift herausgegeben vom Österreichischen museum fuer kunst und industrie, Vienna, 1894, v.7 pt.1, p.133.
Kari Berling, Das Meißner Porzellan und seine Geschichte. Leipzig 1900, S. 99, 187-200.
Helmuth Gröger, Johann Joachim Kaendler. Dresden, 1956.
Peter W Meister, Franz Adrian Dreier, Figürliche Keramik aus zwei Jahrtausenden. Kat Museum für Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt. Frankfurt 1964, Nr. 90.
Rainer Rückert, Meißener Porzellan, 1710-1810. Kat. Ausst. Bayerisches Nationalmuseum München. München 1966.
Stefan Bursche, Tafelzier des Barock. München 1974, Abb. 300.
"Tafelaufsatz, Der Parnass", Auswahlkatalog, Museum für Kunsthandwerk (Frankfurt am Main, Germany), 1987, pp. 86-87.
Alfred Ziffer, ‘Meissener Porzellanplastik für fürstliches Interieur und Zeremoniell’, Keramos, Issue 241/242, pp. 29–52.
MEISSEN
The production of Meissen porcelain began in 1710 at the manufactory at Meissen...
Category
19th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Gilt Scalloped Creamer/Milk Jug with Floral Decoration
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain milk jug or creamer.
By Meissen.
Decorated with blue underglaze flowers with gilt stems and twigs on a white grou...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Blue Onion, Handled Three Section Shell Dish
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Meissen Blue Onion, Handled Three-Section Shell Dish
Germany, late 19th century
A large and magnificent 19th-century Meissen Blue Onion-handled three-section shell dis...
Category
19th Century German Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair, Meissen Opposing Courting Scene Porcelain "Green Ivy" Platters 19.75"
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meissen, circa 1940.
Immerse yourself in timeless elegance with this exquisite pair of Meissen "Green Ivy" porcelain platters, crafted circa 1940. Each platter, measuring an impress...
Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Enamel
German Meissen 'Marcolini' Porcelain Tea and Coffee Service, circa 1790
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Comprising coffee pot, tea pot, covered cream jug, covered sugar, ten tea cups, six coffee cups, 16 saucers.
Category
1790s German Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Twelve Meissen Dessert Plates Masterfully Painted with Different Fruits
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
This is a wonderful set of twelve Meissen dessert plates each masterfully painted with different fruit paintings. They are from 1880s, and they ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Porcelain Tea Tray with Cobalt Blue Border & Spray Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique porcelain tea tray or serving platter.
By Meissen.
With a scalloped rim and a rich cobalt blue border.
There are hand paint...
Category
20th Century German Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Style of Nodding Pagoda Figures
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A large rare pair of 19th century Meissen Chinoiserie style Nodding Pagoda Figures with Movable Head, Hand and Tongue, known as a "Nodder'. This Unusual...
Category
1850s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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 Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Bronze
Meissen Art Nouveau Figure, Child Sitting On Cushion, by Konrad Hentschel, 1905
By Julius Konrad Hentschel, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Nouveau Meissen porcelain figure from the time the model was created:
Child with brunette hair, dressed in typical children's clothing from around 1900 - apron and long-sleeved s...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Rare 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Carp/Fish Form Covered Tureen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
An Extremely Rare and Impressive 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Carp/Fish Form Covered Tureen. This covered tureen was produced by the Meissen porcelain manufactory in Germany during...
Category
1860s German Other Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Porcelain 'Elements' Ewer Emblematic of Water
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of water. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water,...
Category
1870s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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.
...
Category
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Reticulated Bowl With Flower Bouquet & Accents of Butterflies & Insects
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
This is a beautiful oval Meissen reticulated bowl hand painted with a central painting of a flower bouquet and accents of butterflies and insects. ...
Category
1890s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Large Decorative Limited Edition Salvador Dali Porcelain Plate
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vilnius, LT
Large limited edition Salvador Dali decorative porcelain plate. Can be placed on the wall.
Marked on the bottom, numbered, includes original box and certificate.
Very good/excellent ...
Category
20th Century Spanish Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Large Round Platter in the Meissen Purple Indian Pattern
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Boston, MA
I would like to offer you this beautiful large round platter in the Meissen purple Indian pattern. It has detailed paintings of pink flow...
Category
1960s German Rococo Vintage Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Mandarin Duck Max Esser Art Deco
By Meissen Porcelain, Max Esser
Located in Newark, England
Chinese Mandarin Duck
From our Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer this Meissen Mandarin Duck Modelled by Max Esser. The Meissen Mandarin Duck beautifully sculpted in nat...
Category
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
A Pair Of Meissen Porcelain Mythological Figural Groups
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair Of Meissen Porcelain Mythological Figural groups, of 'Neptune and Thetis' and 'The Triumphal Procession of Amphitrite'.
'Neptune and Thetis' modelled with the god of the sea ...
Category
19th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A FIne Meissen Porcelain Monkey Musician Figurine of superb quality. This unusual Monkey figurine is playing the Obo musical instrument dresse...
Category
20th Century German Rococo Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Genuine Meissen Reticulated Porcelain Cattle Plate
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Newark, England
With Finely Painted Cattle Scenes
From our Ceramics collection, we are delighted to offer this very unusual Meissen Reticulated Porcelain Plate. The Meissen Plate is beautifully po...
Category
Mid-19th Century German High Victorian Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Grouping of Mars's War Chariot with War Putti for Catherine the Great
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and quite large, Baroque style, Museum Quality, Antique Meissen Porcelain Grouping of Mars, the God of War, Chariot with his Putti Servant, originally designed by Johann Joachim Kändler in 1772-1773 for Czarina Katharina, better known as Catherine the Great. Mars, the Roman God of war, is seen wearing a Roman war attire on his white double horse-drawn chariot. While seated, Mars is seen holding the handle of his sword. On his head is a beautiful silver helmet...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Antique 18th C. Meissen Porcelain Dulong Variant Molded Plates with Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Meissen Dulong Variant plates.
By the Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory.
Decorated with Deutsche Blumen floral sprays to the center and sides including ros...
Category
18th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Meissen Kingfishers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An enchanting pair of naturalistically modelled Meissen kingfishers perched on tree stumps, each with wonderful colour and signed to the bases with the blue crossed sword of the Meis...
Category
Early 20th Century German Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
19th century German Meissen painted porcelain model of a Pigeon
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Dublin, IE
A superb quality 19th century Meissen painted porcelain model of a Pigeon, with feathered feet, on a rocky base, with unglazed blue crossed swords mark to the base, incised '827'.
C...
Category
19th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
16 Piece Meissen Monkey Band, circa 1890
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A rare set of 16 late 19th Century Meissen porcelain Monkey band, with the conductor on a pedestal and various band players.
Circa 1890.
Ba...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Important Pair of Meissen Porcelain Filigree Vases with Raised Flowers
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A Highly Important pair of Museum Quality Louis XV Period 18th century Meissen Porcelain filigree openwork vases with a medially of flowers and vined leaves. This is truly an excepti...
Category
1750s German Louis XV Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
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.
Category
Early 20th Century German Baroque Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Genre Group 'House Concert', by Joseph von Kramer, Germany, Circa 1903
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Meissen porcelain genre group:
Family group dressed in rococo style playing house music: the mother with a decorated updo in a flowered dress...
Category
Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Very Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Day and Night Figures
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 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
1870s German Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Porcelain Sconces by Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique porcelain sconces by Meissen
German, late 19th Century
Measures: Height 57cm, width 38cm, depth 10cm
This fine pair of Ge...
Category
Late 19th Century German Rococo Antique Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Materials
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.
Meissen Porcelain serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 414 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Johann Joachim Kändler, KPM Porcelain, and Ernst August Leuteritz. Prices for Meissen Porcelain serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 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 $3,732.
Creators Similar to Meissen Porcelain
Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Questions About Meissen Porcelain Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Meissen Porcelain Furniture
Meissen Porcelain Decorative Objects
Meissen Porcelain Lighting
Meissen Porcelain Wall Decorations
Meissen Porcelain Asian Art and Furniture
Meissen Porcelain Mirrors
Meissen Porcelain Folk Art
Meissen Porcelain Sculptures
Meissen Porcelain Vases and Vessels
Meissen Porcelain Bowls and Baskets
Meissen Porcelain Candle Holders
Meissen Porcelain Boxes
Meissen Porcelain Clocks