Antique Meissen Set of 13 Hand-Painted Desert Plates with Fruit Decoration
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
- Style:Victorian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Some wear to the gilt painted accent around the outer border as presented in the photos, and consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Hamilton, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1355232265592
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: Hamilton, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Set of 12 Antique Wedgewood Dinner Plates with Heavy Gilt & Floral DecorationBy WedgewoodLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis set of twelve dinner plates were made by the well known Wedgewood factory of England in approximately 1900 in a Victorian style. The plates a...Category
Early 20th Century English Victorian Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 12 Antique Dresden White Porcelain Dinner Plates with Gilt DecorationBy Dresden PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis set of 12 antique porcelain dinner plates were made by the renowned Dresden factory of Germany in approximately 1890 in a Rococo R...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Revival Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of a Child Playing a LuteBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany in approximately 1850 in their period Dresden romantic style. The figurine is composed of their paste porcel...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Romantic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of Antique Hand Painted D. Dewsberry Iris Cabinet Plates for Doulton BurslemBy Doulton BurslemLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis set of eleven hand painted cabinet plates were made by the Doulton Burslem factory, later known as Royal Doulton, in England in circa 1900 in the period Edwardian style. Each plate is hand painted by David Dewsberry...Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Antique Meissen Porcelain Standing Deer Figurine or SculptureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis large antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany in approximately 1880 in the period realistic style. The figurine or sculpture is composed of porcelain and depicts a standing deer...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Victorian Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Cupid Holding an Arrow & Flaming HeartBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany is approximately 1850 in the period Dresden style. The figurine is done in early paste porcelain and depicts a cherub, or Cupid seated on a stump, holding an arrow with an outstretched hand, and cradling a flaming heart...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Romantic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Cabinet Plates with CherubsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Philadelphia, PAAn 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
Antique 19th Century German Art Nouveau Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of Twelve Meissen Porcelain Plates with Putti and Heavenly ScenesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fabulous and pristine set of twelve neoclassical style 19th century Meissen Porcelain plates hand painted with putti, fruit, garland, and heavenly scenes. The center of each plate ...Category
Antique 1860s German Neoclassical Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 12 KPM Dessert Plates with Hand Painted Fruit Pierced & Gilt BordersBy KPM PorcelainLocated in Great Barrington, MAThis set of KPM porcelain dessert plates are exceptional as they feature interesting and more unusual fruit subjects. The plates have the name of the fruit subject painted on the rev...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Aesthetic Movement Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 12 Antique Meissen Porcelain 'Old Ozier' Pattern Cabinet or Dinner PlatesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine set of 12 antique, 18th century German porcelain plates. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Old Ozier pattern. Each ...Category
Antique 1760s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair Antique 18c Meissen Vergissmeinnicht Pattern Porcelain Plates with FlowersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine pair of antique Vergiss Meinnicht (Forget-me-not) pattern plates. By the Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Decorated with Deutsche Blumen floral sprays to the center incl...Category
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 18th Century Frankenthal Porcelain Bowl with Hand Painted Fruit DecorationBy Frankenthal Porcelain FactoryLocated in Philadelphia, PAA very fine antique 18th century porcelain bowl. By Frankenthal during the Carl Theodor period. With a group of polychrome enamel decorated fruit to the bowl, floral sprays to ...Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain