Meissen White Porcelain Large Tray, Hand Gilt Highlights, Perfect for Tea Set
View Similar Items
Meissen White Porcelain Large Tray, Hand Gilt Highlights, Perfect for Tea Set
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)Width: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:1900
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very nice antique condition.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: f172721710118751343fs
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.
- Pair of Gold Decorated Serving BowlsLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA pair of 24-karat acid etched gold on porcelain serving bowls. Antique and in wonderful condition. Perfect to use for your holiday table or simply stunning for display.Category
Early 20th Century German Platters and Serveware
MaterialsGold
$495 / set - Set of 12 Hand-Painted and Gilt Encrusted Cup and Saucers, 24 Pieces TotalBy Lenox's Ceramic Art CompanyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA rare and beautiful set of 12 hand-painted porcelain cup and saucers from Lenox. Masterfully painted by their re known artist: William Morley. A thick acid etched 24-karat gold band...Category
Vintage 1920s American Tableware
MaterialsEnamel, Gold
- 19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Centerpiece, Hand-Painted FloralsBy Old ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA stunning piece of Old Paris porcelain that features two sides of beautiful hand-painted floral panels, hand-cut work and hand-painted trim. Nicely shaped with a long and deep boat ...Category
Antique 1840s French Empire Revival Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
$1,450 Sale Price58% Off - Large Antique Limoges Fish Platter circa 1890 Hand Painted & Artist SignedLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA large platter ready for your fish service or to be a great accent piece to your display cabinet. This piece has a nice scalloped shape to the rim and is hand painted with a central...Category
Antique 1890s French Platters and Serveware
MaterialsGold, Enamel
- Antique Porcelain Bird Sculpture or Figurine, Hand Painted and Realistic, KPMBy Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)Located in West Palm Beach, FLA finely detailed and realistically modeled and hand painted piece from the Royal Porcelain Manufacturer of Germany, KPM, circa 1900 and in really nice antique condition and ready fo...Category
Antique 1890s German Animal Sculptures
MaterialsEnamel
- Antique Vase Coalport England Hand Painted with Jeweling and Raised GiltBy Coalport PorcelainLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA charming vase by the storied English firm of Coalport. This sweetie features 2 handles, and an interesting hand painted scene with river, mountains, flora fauna accented with white...Category
Antique 1890s British Aesthetic Movement Vases
MaterialsGold, Enamel
- Large Meissen serving dish in porcelain with hand-painted flowers.Located in Copenhagen, DKLarge Meissen serving dish in porcelain with hand-painted flowers and gold decoration. Late 19th century. Measures: 40.5 x 30 x 5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 3rd factory qu...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Oval Meissen Dish in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Late 19th CLocated in Copenhagen, DKLarge oval Meissen dish in hand-painted porcelain. Blue flowers and butterflies. Late 19th century. Measures: 38.5 x 28 x 5.5 cm. In excellent conditi...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Round Meissen Dish in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Late 19th C.Located in Copenhagen, DKLarge round Meissen dish in hand-painted porcelain. Butterfly and blue flowers. Late 19th century. Measures: 31.5 x 5.5 cm. In excellent condition. ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Antique Meissen Serving Dish in Hand-Painted Porcelain, 19th CLocated in Copenhagen, DKLarge antique Meissen serving dish in hand-painted porcelain with trading stations and flowers, 19th century. Measures: 46 x 32.5 x 5.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 2nd f...Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Antique Meissen Fish Dish in Hand Painted Porcelain with Pink RosesLocated in Copenhagen, DKLarge antique Meissen fish dish in hand painted porcelain with pink roses, early 20th century. Measures: 54 x 27 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. ...Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Antique Meissen Serving Dish in Hand Painted Porcelain with Pink RosesLocated in Copenhagen, DKLarge antique Meissen serving dish in hand painted porcelain with pink roses. Early 20th century. Measures: 41.5 x 30.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 2nd factory quality.Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain