Meissen Porcelain Demitasse Cup and Saucer Chinese Dragon Pattern, circa 1928
View Similar Items
Meissen Porcelain Demitasse Cup and Saucer Chinese Dragon Pattern, circa 1928
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Diameter: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
- Style:Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Porcelain,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1928
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Cup base rim has two very minor nibbles - probably from the time of manufacture.
- Seller Location:Lincoln, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: P 8161stDibs: LU99034800633
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.
- Rare John Turner Porcelain Cup and Saucer in Traveller Pattern, circa 1795By John TurnerLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a rare coffee cup and saucer in ‘The Traveller’ or ‘One Legged Duck’ blue transfer printed, hand gilded pattern by John Turner & family, of Lane End, Longton, Staffordshire. ...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Samson Porcelain Armorial Cup and Saucer in Chinese Taste, Paris, Circa 1870By Edmé SamsonLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a very good fluted porcelain armorial tea cup and saucer in the Chinese taste with an Armorial lion and horse supporting a shield above a legend, made by Samson, Paris, France. Edme Samson, Paris, circa 1860 - 1880. EdmeSamson of Paris (1810-1891) was one of the foremost copyists of Chinese porcelain and nowadays his copies are treasured in the own right for the quality of their craftsmanship and skill in painting, as with this piece. This piece is beautifully made with lavish bianco-sopra-bianco, enamel and gilt decoration. The cup has a Heraldic Coat of Arms on the front in the style of Chinese Export porcelain with a lion and horse supporting a red shield...Category
Antique 19th Century French Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early New Hall Porcelain Coffee Can & Saucer Duo Chinese Pattern 421, circa 1800By New HallLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a hard paste porcelain coffee can & saucer duo by New Hall, hand decorated with their Chinese figure pattern number 421, dating to the English George 3rd...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Derby Porcelain Cup & Saucer Rare Pattern 128 Puce Crown Marks, circa 1795By Royal Crown Derby PorcelainLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a late 18th century porcelain Tea Cup and Saucer in pattern 128 by the Derby factory, Circa 1795. This is a rare Derby pattern that we have not come across or seen previou...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Georgian Spode Coffee Can Porcelain Pattern 1928, circa 1810By SpodeLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a very good quality porcelain coffee can by Spode of Staffordshire, England, made during the very early 19th century, George 111rd period, circa 1805. The coffee can is no...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Miles Mason Saucer Dish Porcelain Boy at Door Pattern, circa 1805By Miles Mason PorcelainLocated in Lincoln, LincolnshireThis is a porcelain Saucer Dish or Bowl in the "Boy at the Door" pattern, made by Miles Mason (Mason's) dating to very early in the 19th century. This d...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Ceramics
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Birds Set of Cup And SaucerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Guaynabo, PRThis is a hand painted Meissen porcelain cup and saucer. It is featuring the Rothschild pattern birds with some insects and butterflies. The cup as ...Category
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
$600 Sale Price / set20% Off - Meissen Porcelain Coffee Cup with Saucer and Dessert PlateBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTMeissen porcelain coffee cup with saucer and dessert plate all richly decorated with gold. Measures: Cup: H 6 x 9 x 7.5 cm Saucer: 12 cm Dessert plate: 14 cm.Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Coffee Cups with SaucersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTPair of Meissen Porcelain coffee cups with saucers richly decorated with gold. Measures: Cup: h 5 x7.5 x 9 cm Saucer: 12 cm .Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Germany Baroque Porcelain and Gold Cups and Saucers, Set / 13By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLSet of 13 Meissen porcelain cups and saucers from the opulent Golden Baroque series handmade in Germany. The cups and saucers have a white glaze ...Category
Vintage 1950s German Baroque Revival Porcelain
MaterialsGold
- German Meissen Blue and White Porcelain Kitchen PiecesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA beautiful antique set of 6 German Meissen blue and white onion pattern porcelain kitchen cooking pieces/utenciles with wood turned hand...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain, Wood
- 18th Century Meissen cups and saucersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Delft, NL18th Century Meissen cups and Saucers This set consists of 9 cups and 9 saucers of Meissen porcelain. A high quality porcelain pro...Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
$9,345 / set