Meissen Porcelain Winter and Spring Figural Group
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 19th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
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 Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Meissen Porcelain Summer and Fall Figural GroupBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis beautiful Meissen Porcelain figure entitled Summer and Fall is part of the company's beloved Seasons series. The putti rest upon a rocaille-formed base holding representations o...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Other Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Revelry GroupsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis charming pair of Meissen porcelain figures celebrates the essence of Revelry. First modeled by the renowned Johann Joachim Kändler on bases by Peter Reinicke, circa 1767, these ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain ShelvesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAElegant pillars of Meissen Porcelain distinguish this lovely pair of shelves. An ebonized wood frame gives them structure, and a mirrored backing completes their design. circa 188...Category
Antique 19th Century German Shelves
MaterialsPorcelain, Mirror, Wood
- Meissen Porcelain MirrorBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LALavish Meissen porcelain serves as the extraordinary frame for this mirror. Exquisitely hand-painted in polychrome with gilt accents, the bountiful fr...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Wall Mirrors
MaterialsPorcelain, Mirror
- Meissen Rococo Porcelain BoxBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAIncredible hand-painted scenes inspired by Rococo master Antoine Watteau cover this magnificent Meissen porcelain box. Displaying romantic courts...Category
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Decorative Boxes
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Wall SconcesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis remarkable pair of Meissen wall sconces is crafted with all of the exquisite detail and splendor of the Rococo period. Exquisitely hand-painted with gilt accents, each fixture i...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Group of Blind Man's BuffBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexA good quality 19th century Meissen Porcelain group of three cherubs playing blind man’s buff. One blind folded, one seated on a chair the other reading on ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Figure Group of a Shepherdess and SoldierBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Guaynabo, PRThis is a Meissen Porcelain figure group of a shepherdess and a soldier. It depicts this pastoral scene of this romantic couple, she is seated in the grass with a letter in her hand ...Category
Early 20th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Figural Group with a Musician Playing the DrumsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA lovely 19th century German Meissen porcelain figural group of a standing lady appealing to a standing gentleman and a musician sitting by their feet playing the drums. Late 19th century. Blue Meissen crossed sword...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Porcelain Group of Bacchus and Attendants by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBThis piece is a superb example of the work of the Meissen porcelain manufactory. Modelled by E. A. Leuteritz in the 19th century based upon earlier models, it is a group piece, showi...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Boy with Dog FigureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA fine antique German porcelain figure of a boy with a dog by world renowned makers Meissen and dating from the 19th century. The figure of a young boy in typical period dress stands...Category
Antique 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Important Meissen Porcelain Groups of Caparisoned Elephants and SoldiersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn important pair of Meissen Porcelain Groups depicting "Alexander The Great Concurring India". Modeled with Alexander the great's three warriors/soldiers riding on caparisoned eleph...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Wear Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Genius on Your Finger with This Vivid Ring
In his jewelry making, the designer rarely used diamonds — this rare example has two.
You Won’t Find a More Handsome Stopwatch Than This 1890s Pocket Chronograph
A Grand Complication from the golden era of pocket watches, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch does everything but uncork your wine.