German Meissen Porcelain, Pair of Figures of Putti Emblematic of Night and Day
View Similar Items
German Meissen Porcelain, Pair of Figures of Putti Emblematic of Night and Day
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer),Heinrich Schwabe 1 (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Width: 13 in (33.02 cm)Depth: 13 in (33.02 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Baroque Revival (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 11201stDibs: LU171523613352
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Pair of Antique Meissen Porcelain Figures of Malabar MusiciansBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBPair of antique Meissen porcelain figures of Malabar musicians German, Late 19th Century Woman: Height 33cm, width 13cm, depth 11cm Man: Height 32cm, width 20cm, depth 11cm Expertly crafted in the late 19th century by the artists at Meissen, the figures depict a charming pair of Malabar musicians. The design of this pair is after models by Friedrich Elias Meyer (German 1723–1785), an artist at Meissen. The figure of a lady is playing the hurdy-gurdy and the moustached man the guitar. Both figures are wearing a pale straw hat, their bodies covered by a maroon-coloured and fur lined jacket...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Bouquetiere FiguresBy Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Maidstone, GBA pair of Meissen bouquetiere figures Circa 1765, both with 'Christie's East' dealer stamps. Modelled by J.J. Kändler holding oval two-handled baskets, the tops pierced for flowers, ...Category
Antique 1760s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Figures of Parrots Standing on Branches W/ CherriesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Magnificent and large pair of antique meissen porcelain figures of colorful parrots, each standing on a tree branch with cherries and beautiful foliage after a model by J. J. Kandl...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
$26,000 Sale Price / set20% Off