Meissen "Yellow Lion" Plate, c1740
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.79 in (2 cm)Diameter: 9.18 in (23.3 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1740
- Condition:No chips or cracks.
- Seller Location:Tunbridge Wells, GB
- 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: Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 30 days of delivery.
- Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB18th Century Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740 Additional information: Period : George II c1740 Origin : England Colour : Clear Bowl : Round funnel...Category
Antique 18th Century English George II Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Pedestal Stem Georgian Sweetmeat c1740Located in Tunbridge Wells, GBHeading : Pedestal stem Georgian sweetmeat Period : George II - c1740 Origin : England Colour : Clear Bowl : Double ogee with everted rim Stem : Eight sided pedestal with annulated c...Category
Antique 1740s British George II Glass
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Engraved Georgian Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740Located in Tunbridge Wells, GBEngraved Georgian Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740 Additional information: Period : George II c1730-40 Origin : England Colour : Clear Bowl ...Category
Antique 18th Century English George II Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Kit-Cat Georgian Wine Glass c1740By Georgian House 1Located in Tunbridge Wells, GBHeading : Kit-cat balustroid wine glass Period : George II - c1740 Origin : England Colour : Clear with dark grey hue Bowl : Drawn trumpet Stem : Kit-cat tpe - plain section aboce n ...Category
Antique 1740s British George II Glass
MaterialsBlown Glass
- A Tall and Fine Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740Located in Tunbridge Wells, GBA Tall and Fine Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740 Another myth busting glass, the diameter of the bowl is greater than that of the folded foot. Addi...Category
Antique 18th Century English George II Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Georgian Triple Knopped Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740Located in Tunbridge Wells, GBGeorgian Triple Knopped Balustroid Wine Glass, c1740 Additional information: Period : George II Origin : England Colour : Clear Bowl : An ogee b...Category
Antique 18th Century English George II Glass
MaterialsGlass
- Openwork Platter, MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Chorzów, PLOpenwork platter, Meissen. Very good condition. Wed 19 cm.Category
Antique 1880s German Other Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Large Round Platter in the Meissen Purple Indian PatternBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Boston, MAI would like to offer you this beautiful large round platter in the Meissen purple Indian pattern. It has detailed paintings of pink flow...Category
Vintage 1960s German Rococo Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Cake or Round Platter in The Meissen Purple Indian PatternBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Boston, MAI would like to present you with this stunning Meissen purple Indian round cake stand or platter. It would be perfect to serve delicious beautiful cakes to your special guests. It could also be used as a round serving platter for cookies, pastries, appetizers and side dishes. It has detailed paintings of pink flowers with some purple and gold accents on a white ground. The detail of the painting on this cake plate is beautifully done. It has a gold border. Inside the gold border is an intricate pink design accented with gold dots. This is one of my favorite Meissen patterns. It is definitely eye catching, and would make a stunning addition to any table setting. The pink and gold tones of the pattern are not only beautiful and intricate, but they give a bright and cheerful feeling to any dinner service. This Meissen round platter is 10.75 inches in diameter. Price of this beautiful Meissen cake...Category
Vintage 1940s German Rococo Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Imari Plate, 1740Located in Dresden, DEThe form and décor of the plate is a close copy of the "Brocade" Pattern of Japanese Imari porcelain. Based on a Japanese original, each painted with a bird on a rocky outcropping before a pine tree, the border with cloud-shaped panels of phoenix. A nearly identical example is exhibited in the British Museum in London. For this rare décor sometimes nonsensically the term "Warsaw Servive" is used. The letter „K...Category
Antique Early 18th Century German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Neu Brandenstein Fish Platter & Strainer InsertBy Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine Meissen porcelain fish tray with its rare strainer. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Neu Brandenstein Relief pattern. Or...Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- German Porcelain Partial Dinner Service, Meissen, 19th CenturyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYComprising 18 soups, 18 dinner plates, one large fish platter, and one large meat platter, one covered vegetable tureen, two serving bowls.Category
Antique 19th Century German Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain