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Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Nymphenburg — one of Europe’s most venerable porcelain factories — was founded near Munich in 1747 by Maximilian III Joseph, the elector of Bavaria. It didn’t begin producing under the name we know today, however, until 1761, when it was moved to Nymphenburg Palace.

Porcelain was invented in East Asia around 2,000 years ago, and its formula, which requires a special clay called kaolin, became a closely guarded secret. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that chemists at Meissen, Germany, in the employ of Augustus II the Strong, the elector of Saxony, discovered a process for making true, as opposed to soft-paste, porcelain. Soon factories across Europe were producing fine porcelain services and sculpture for an elite clientele.

Nymphenburg was one of these factories, manufacturing elaborate services for dinner, dessert, coffee and tea, and sculptures for the Bavarian nobility. Round objects, such as Nymphenburg plates and vases, were turned on potter’s wheels, while more complex ones, like figures, were slip cast in molds. This technique ensured that the pieces’ dimensions were precise and consistent. Once shaped, they were fired and, after that, hand-decorated by experienced china painters, who finished each to exacting standards.

Among Nymphenburg’s most famous objects are its lively and charming Rococo-style figurines, most often depicting Commedia dell'Arte characters or exotic Chinese figures. Today, the company makes versions of its historic figurines with updated forms and decorations by such designers as Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood.

It also still makes one of its earliest, and eternally popular, china patterns: the floral Cumberland, created in 1765 by Franz Anton Bustelli as the electoral court service. Cumberland is one of more than 20,000 patterns housed today in Nymphenburg’s archive, enabling owners of incomplete sets to find replacements. In addition, the company has engaged contemporary designers such as Ted Muehling and Hella Jongerius to create witty new designs that celebrate the firm’s history while giving it a fresh spin.

Find authentic Nymphenburg Porcelain decorative objects, tableware and other items on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Nymphenburg Porcelain
Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand-painted majolika parrot was designed by Josef Wackerle for the Porcelain Manufactory Nymphenburg in the early 20th century. It is one of the most loved fig...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Figure of a boy with a fish as a figure or for a fountain
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica figure of a boy with a fish is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figur...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Figure of a boy with jug as a figure or for a fountain
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica figure of a boy with a jug is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figure...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Parrot Bird Figure
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica parrot is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica techni...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Majolica Garden Figure Exotic Monkey Figure with fruit basket
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This hand-crafted and hand painted majolica monkey figure is made in the studios of the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, Germany. They create handmade figures in majolica...
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Garden figure by Josef Wackerle Nymphenburg majolica hand painted in Germany
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This figure was designed by Josef Wackerle in 1913 for Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg and is still in production today. It is hand crafted and hand painted of Nymphenburg majolica ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Majolica

Handcrafted Majolica Garden Figure - Monkey on a basket of fruit, handpainted
By Nymphenburg Porcelain
Located in München, Bavaria
This figure of a monkey sitting on a basket of fruit is a wonderful example of Josef Wackerle´s sculpting skills. The character of the monkey, sitting and ready to throw the fruit, i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments

Materials

Maiolica, Majolica

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Nymphenburg Porcelain garden ornaments for sale on 1stDibs.

Nymphenburg Porcelain garden ornaments are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of majolica and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original garden ornaments by Nymphenburg Porcelain were created in the modern style in germany during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Nymphenburg Porcelain garden ornaments can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,471 and can go as high as $6,471, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,471.
Questions About Nymphenburg Porcelain Garden Ornaments
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    To date Nymphenburg porcelain, look for a maker's mark in an inconspicuous area. Since its commission in 1754, the porcelain factory has used a wide range of marks to identify its pieces. By comparing the mark on your porcelain ware to images shared on trusted online resources, you can approximate its age. For example, a coat of arms marking above the brand's wordmark and the number 1754 indicate a piece produced in 2008 or after. If you have difficulty determining the age of a particular piece, a knowledgeable appraiser or antique dealer can assist you. Find a diverse assortment of Nymphenburg porcelain ware on 1stDibs.

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