Fabulous Meissen Porcelain Group of Count Bruhl's "Tailor on a Goat"

About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.13 in (43.52 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919517902011
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.
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Large Meissen Porcelain Group of Lovers Kissing in the Ocean on a RockBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Large Meissen Porcelain group of lovers kissing in the Ocean on a Rock. This piece is truly spectacular in both quality and size. The pair of lovers a...Category
Antique 1870s German Aesthetic Movement 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
Price Upon Request - 19th C Meissen Porcelain Allegorical Group of Three Putti with Musical MotifsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Beautiful 19th century Meissen Porcelain allegorical grouping of three putti with musical Motifs. One putti is seen with a trumpet in his hand, the other putti is seen playing a ly...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin ChildBy J.J. Kändler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn important, extremely rare, and rather large 18th century Meissen Porcelain Group of a Thalia with a Harlequin Child, By Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler, Circa: 1744. This is an incredible and extremely rare 18th century Meissen Porcelain piece modeled by the greatest Meissen modeler ever in the Company, Johann Joachim (J.J.) Kändler. Thalia can be seen seated on a gorgeous hand-carved and hand-painted flowered and vined porcelain pedestal. Her right arm is raised holding a Phantom of the Opera Black and White Mask, while in her other arm is a young Harlequin dancing and singing holding a hat. Thalia is wearing a gilt-edged dark blue bodice with white floral decorations over a black corset draped in a red-over-yellow robe...Category
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
$101,280 Sale Price20% Off - Fine Pair of Meissen Porcelain Models of Eagles Resting on BranchesBy Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in New York, NYA fine pair of Early 20th Century Meissen Porcelain models of eagles naturalistically resting on branches. Each Eagle can be seen with their wings spread wide out and their beaks ope...Category
20th Century German Rococo Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Figures of ParrotsLocated in New York, NYAlthough invented by the Chinese centuries before, the making of porcelain was a closely guarded secret. As more and more examples of this craft left China via the Silk road and the Dutch East Indian...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
$13,260 / set
- 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 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
- Antique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBAntique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by Meissen German, c. 1750 Height 20.5cm, width 11cm, depth 12cm This charming Meissen porce...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Group 'Europe on the Bull', by J.F. Eberlein, circa 1860By Johann Friedrich EberleinLocated in Vienna, ATExcellent large meissen figurine group around 1860: Beautiful, youthful Europe, the primordial mother of the continent, with her hair tied back and adorned with flowers, sits sideways on the strong, white bull, which is actually the transformed father of the god Zeus, who kidnaps the young woman. She is covered only with a large floor-length cloth with golden stars. With her right hand she holds on to one of the animal's horns, with her left hand she grasps its neck, a flower garland adorns the animal's head, two nymphs wrapped in shawls kneel at Europe's feet and offer flowers from a basket. The group is based on an oval base with rocaille decoration heightened in gold. Design: Johann Friedrich Eberlein (1695 - 1749) From 1735 sculptor and modeller at the Meissen porcelain factory. Eberlein worked with Johann Friedrich Eberlein (1706 - 1775) - a modeller at the Meissen manufactory since 1731: Together with J. J. KÄNDLER and Johann Gottlieb Ehder, he created the swan service with more than 2,200 individual items between 1737 and 1742. Eberlein's own creations show classical deities on opulent baroque...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Fine 19th Century Porcelain Capodimonte Group of Cherubs and a GoatBy CapodimonteLocated in Dallas, TXThis bright Capodimonte porcelain group of four putti and a goat symbolizes abundance and the spirit of life. Capodimonte was originally an 18th century Italian porcelain...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Classical Greek Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Whimsical White Glazed Porcelain Group of Four Putti Playing with a GoatLocated in Los Angeles, CAA charming Continental 19th/20th century whimsical white glazed porcelain group of four putti playing with a goat, probably after the depiction of The Goat Amalthea with the Infant Jupiter by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, (Italian, 1598-1680), depicting four playful putti, one riding the goat, another feeding it, a third one holding on to it and the forth one, Jupiter, feeding from it. Stamped (unknown). Probably Italian. Circa: 1900. Measures: Height: 14 3/4 inches (37.5 cm) Width: 15 3/4 inches (40 cm) Depth: 10 1/2 inches (26.7 cm) Myth The goat of Amalthea is a divine goat who fed the baby Zeus with its milk. Its name is translated from the ancient Greek and means “gentle goddess.” Zeus’ father, Kronos (Cronus, Cronos), fearing to lose his power, swallowed up all his newly born children. His wife Rhea suffered greatly from this, and when the next child was born, she slipped a stone wrapped in diapers instead of Kronos. Kronos swallowed the stone, not suspecting anything, so the kid had to hide. Rhea hid him on the island of Crete in the cave of Mount Ida...Category
Antique Early 1900s European Classical Greek Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
$1,267 Sale Price35% Off
Recently Viewed
View MoreThe 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Trusted Global Delivery