19th C. Meissen Porcelain Rococo 4 Seasons Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
View Similar Items
19th C. Meissen Porcelain Rococo 4 Seasons Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Width: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Rococo (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Repaired: Minimal restoration to extremities, as expected by age and material composition. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919528393352
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.
- A Very Large Rare Meissen Porcelain 3 Piece Clock & Candelabra Garniture SetBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Very Large and Rare German Ormolu Mounted Meissen Porcelain Three Piece Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set. This impressive set consists of three pieces: a center clock and two candelabras, each adorned with the most intricate and delicate details that have been executed to perfection. Each three armed candelabra is remarkably elaborate with foliate arms that are embellished with gilt-covered beautifully twisted branches and curling leaves on an ornate botanically-inspired base. Embraced by the arms of the candelabras are two 18th Century Meissen Porcelain figures of musical lovers, dressed in brightly detailed traditional clothes. The round clock face, with roman numerals, a white base, and ornate hands is surrounded by a flourish of gorgeous gilt foliage, exuding an air of elegance and refinement. Perched atop the clock is a stunning Meissen Porcelain figurine of a beautiful woman posed in mid-movement, her dress aflutter, and baring her leg as she gazes up at her left hand which is holding a bunch of grapes, while also grasping a wine goblet in her lowered right hand, representing the festivities of the moment. Surrounding the clock and extending down both sides the gilt foliate leads the eye to two cherubs each admiring tiny vases of exquisitely detailed flowers. Below the cherubs, on either side, are four white ceramic pillars...Category
Antique 1760s German Louis XVI Mantel Clocks
MaterialsBronze
- Pair 19th Century Rococo Style Meissen Porcelain Parrot and Flower Lidded VasesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn incredible pair of 19th century Rococo Style Meissen Porcelain parrot and flower encrusted lidded vases. Each is absolutely stunning with a variety of hand-painted and encrusted f...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie "Gold Dragon" Flower-Encrusted GarnitureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Meissen porcelain ‘Gold Dragon’ pattern three-piece garniture. A Meissen porcelain reticulated three-piece basket Garniture and stands. ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- A 19th Century Meissen Porcelain 'Elements' Ewer Emblematic of AirBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of air. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water, i...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain 'Elements' Ewer Emblematic of WaterBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of water. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water,...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- A 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Figurine Depicting a Cat with Captured MouseBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Marvelous 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine Depicting a Cat with Captured Mouse. Standing at an impressive 7 inches tall, this adorable handcrafted, hand-painted Meissen Po...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen clock garniture, 19th CenturyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexA very impressive, fine quality 19th Century Meissen porcelain clock garniture, having putti surround the clock and pair of candelabra representing the four seasons, the enamel clock...Category
Antique 19th Century German Mantel Clocks
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Splendour Clock 'The Four Seasons' by E.A. Leuteritz, Around 1880By Meissen Porcelain, Ernst August LeuteritzLocated in Vienna, ATThe clock case was designed by Ernst August Leuteritz using old moulds in the Rococo style: The clock case rises on a base with gold-highlighted rocailles, richly decorated with deli...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Sèvres Style Porcelain Clock GarnitureBy Manufacture Nationale de SèvresLocated in London, GBThis large and impressive clock garniture set consists of a central clock and a pair of flanking vases. The three pieces are extremely finely decorated with painted cartouches of fly...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Mantel Clocks
MaterialsOrmolu
- 19th Century Meissen clock depicting the four seasons.By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexA fine quality late 19th Century German, Meissen porcelain clock on stand, having wonderful bold traditional colours, the figures representing the four seasons. The clock striking on...Category
Antique 19th Century German Mantel Clocks
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Strut Mantel ClockBy Howell James & Co.Located in Norwich, GBA Meissen porcelain oval shaped Strut clock with two putti and well modelled trailing flowers and wreath decoration. (The back of the case at 12 o’clock carrying the crossed swords m...Category
Antique 1870s English Victorian Mantel Clocks
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Rococo Style Porcelain Mantel Clock by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBLarge Rococo style porcelain mantel clock by Meissen German, 19th century Measures: Height 66cm, width 33cm, depth 25cm This superb mantel clock is a truly wonderful example of ...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Mantel Clocks
MaterialsPorcelain