Meissen Small Bust Emblematic of Winter, circa 1750
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 4.34 in (11 cm)Width: 1.58 in (4 cm)Depth: 1.58 in (4 cm)
- Style:Georgian (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1750-1759
- Date of Manufacture:1750s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Firenze, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4533219260882
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: Firenze, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Copeland Parian Ware Bust of Flora, circa 1870Located in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). An attractive Copeland Parian ware bust...Category
Antique 1890s English Victorian Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- A 20th Century Capodimonte bisque group of the puttiBy CapodimonteLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Height : 17cmCategory
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Italian 19th Century Capodimonte Group of a Satyr, Bacchante and PuttoBy CapodimonteLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). After Clodion 19th century porcela...Category
Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Italian 19th Century Capodimonte Porcelain Full-Relief Gallant SceneBy CapodimonteLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A monumental Italian Capodimonte c...Category
Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- English School 19th Century a Bust Portrait of George IVLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Profile to the right, wearing clas...Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Georgian Busts
MaterialsPlaster
- Pair of Sèvres Style Jardinières, circa 1860By Manufacture Nationale de SèvresLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Each circular bowl with putti jard...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Porcelain
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
- Early Meissen Cupid Group Around 1750, Allegory of Spring, with Additional BaseBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATFour scantily clad cupids grouped on a rock, partly flowers, partly holding flower arrangements in their hands, the flowers as a typical attribute of the Meissen spring representatio...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Figurine Busts of a Man & Woman by Peter StrangBy Meissen Porcelain, Peter StrangLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine pair of miniature Meissen porcelain busts. By Peter Strang. In the form of a man and woman in casual clothing. The man wears an argyle sweater a...Category
20th Century German Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Meissen Cherub Group Allegory Summer & Autumn, by J.J. Kaendler, C 1750By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen Porcelain Group From The Time Of Origin: Two naked cupids and a ram on a rocaille rock, depicting the seasons of summer and autumn: Summer bedded on a bundle of ears of cor...Category
Antique 1760s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Large Meissen Models of Parrots, circa 1986 and 1988By Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBPair of large Meissen models of parrots, circa 1986 and 1988 German, 20th century Measures: Height 42/43cm, width 17cm, depth 21cm Each naturalistically modelled and coloured, a...Category
Late 20th Century German 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