Unusual 19th Century Meissen Figure of a Camel after a Model by J. J. Kandler
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)Width: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:Rococo (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919512518382
Meissen Porcelain
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Fine Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Rabbit after a Model by J. J. KandlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine Meissen Porcelain rabbit figure, after a model by J.J. Kandler; with blue double-crossed swords underglaze mark including a blue dot between swords, Indicative of the Pfeiffer...Category
Vintage 1920s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Malabar Man on a RhinocerosBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fantastic 19th century Meissen Porcelain orientalist/Turkish figure of a Malabar Man seated on a rhinoceros. This is a rare and beautiful group made by...Category
Antique 19th Century German Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 5 Meissen Figures Emblematic of the Senses by J.J. Kändler and EberleinBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA magnificent and fully complete set of 5 Meissen figures emblematic of the senses: Hearing, smell, touch, taste, and sight, Modeled by J.J. Kändler and J.F. Eberlein. These figures ...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of PuttiBy Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Schwabe 1Located in New York, NYA Fantastic and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of Putti. Each is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted by the finest Meissen artists. They are both gorgeous with draped attire and a plethora of various day and night based attributes. Day is seen wearing a pink...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Style of Nodding Pagoda FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 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
Antique 1850s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Sultana Riding an Elephant with a CrownBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn Elaborate 19th century Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Sultana Riding an Elephant. After the model by P.J. Reinicke and J.J. Kändler, the Sultana sitting on the elephants back and h...Category
Antique 1860s German Louis XVI Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Very Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Day and Night FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA 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
Antique 1870s German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Figurines by Kändler Punct Schönheit Catch of Triton Cherubs Women, 1935By Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen tall as well as gorgeous figurine group: Catch of Triton / excellently painted & modelled (the details are stunningly sculptured = finest modelling) Design: Johann Joac...Category
Vintage 1930s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Pair of German Meissen Continental Parrots Birds Green Gilt 19th CenturyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Dublin, IrelandVery Stylish Pair of German Meissen Glazed Porcelain Parrots of exceptional quality, last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Each naturalistically modelled and perched on tree stum...Category
Antique 19th Century German Late Victorian Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain, Pottery
- Meissen Ensemble Of 5 Models, Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20thBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATSet of finest Meissen Porcelain Figures: 'HARLEKIN & COLUMBINE' Dancing couple depicting the figures of the Harlequin and the Columbine: Dancer balancing on her toes in an elaborate crinoline dress with a plunging neckline, her hair artfully pinned up with floral decorations, her outstretched arms pressed down in front of her and her head tilted to the left with her mouth open, facing her dance partner, the latter dressed in colourfully patterned harlequin trousers with a white shirt and a large black bow, He is dressed in colourful, patterned harlequin trousers with a white shirt and a large black bow, which he presses against his chest with his left hand, and a black cap that reaches down over his eyes like a mask, the batte on his hip, nestling against the dancer's side and burying his right arm around her hips in the ruffles of her dress and suggesting a kiss with his mouth open. The group is supported by a pedestal beneath the dancer's skirt and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern and floral decoration. Height: 10.62 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark of the 20th century Year's sign 1977 Model nr. 73306 (D 287) / Former's nr. 123 'ESTRELLA' Dancer balancing on her toes, turning her head to the right and bringing her right hand indecisively to her chin while making a defensive gesture with her left hand - feigning horror at the stormy courtship of her gallant Eusebius. She is wearing a crinoline dress decorated with flowers and a bonnet. The figure is supported by a pedestal and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern. Height: 10.62 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark 1934-1947 Model nr. D 285 / Former's nr. 48 / Painter's nr. 15 'CHIARINA' Dancer balancing on the ball of her left foot, raising her right leg slightly forwards with her foot stretched downwards, leaning her head to the right and elegantly bringing both arms to her left side, flowers in her hands. She is wearing an elaborate crinoline dress with a flowered top and a bonnet, with a mask, fan and flowers scattered on the floor. The figure is supported by a pedestal and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern. Height: 10.43 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark 1934-1947 Modellnr. D 286 / Former's nr. 51 / Painter's nr. 12 'EUSEBIUS' Dancer in a wide lunge, his upper body turned to the right with his arm stretched backwards, holding his left hand to his heart and adoring his beloved Chiarina. He wears his hair parted in curls, his costume in the style of a dandy with chequered trousers, a tight-fitting blue tailcoat with a flower pinned to the lapel, top hat, mask and riding crop at his feet. The figure is supported by a rock and rests...Category
Mid-20th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Rococo Figure 'Huntress with Dog', by J.C. Schoenheit, Around 1880By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Carl SchoenheitLocated in Vienna, ATElaborate porcelain figure of the 19th century: Young lady with rococo wig dressed as a huntress: black trident hat with colorful feather decoration, softly falling dress...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Bird ModelBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBA Meissen porcelain bird model German, late 19th century Measures: height 15cm, width 15cm, depth 9cm This elegant miniature, of a ptarmigan or sim...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain