A large and impressive pair of Meissen parrots, circa 1890, 43cm high
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 9.45 in (24 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brighton, 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: Brighton, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Meissen Parrot, late 19th century.By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn enchanting late 19th century Meissen porcelain figure of a Parrot perched on a tree stump, having wonderful bolding colouring and having blue crossed swords signature to the base....Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen KingfishersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn enchanting pair of naturalistically modelled Meissen kingfishers perched on tree stumps, each with wonderful colour and signed to the bases with the blue crossed sword of the Meis...Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 19th Century Meissen VasesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexA good quality pair of 19th century Meissen porcelain vases. Each having gilded scrolling decoration with inset painted panels depicting harbour scenes. Blue crossed swords to base.Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair Meissen Porcelain Wag Tails, Perched on a Tree Stump, circa 1900By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexA very good quality pair of late 19th Century German Meissen Porcelain statues of White Wag tails perched on a tree stump. Signed to the base of each with Blue crossed swords.Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Group of LoversBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn enchanting late 19th Century large porcelain group of two ladies competing for the heart of a nobleman. Having wonderful bold colours, garlands of flowers, and an under glaze blue...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Romantic Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare pair of 19th Century, ormolu mounted Meissen Parrots. 49cmBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn rare and important pair of 19th Century Meissen porcelain Parrots, each with wonderful bold colouring and detail, perched on tree stumps, one with cherries in its claw, mounted on...Category
Antique 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Large Meissen Models of Parrots, circa 1986 and 1988By Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBPair of large Meissen models of parrots, circa 1986 and 1988 German, 20th century Measures: Height 42/43cm, width 17cm, depth 21cm Each naturalistically modelled and coloured, a...Category
Late 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Parrot Green and Blue PlumageBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Parrot first modelled by JJ Kaendler circa 1740. Height 30cm / 12inches Model number 20 Painters mark 27 Cross swords in underglaze...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Porcelain Parrots Signed Meissen, Germany, Early 20th CenturyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Buenos Aires, Buenos AiresPair of porcelain parrots signed Meissen. Germany, early 20th century.Category
Early 20th Century German Belle Époque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Pair of Meissen Gardeners Man and WomanBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBPair of Meissen Gardeners. First modelled by Acier c.1777. The man leaning on his spade handle with watering can under his elbow. The woman with a bas...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Large Pair of Pugs with PupBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBPair Meissen Pugs first modelled by J J Kaendler 1771. Female with puppy and both Male and Female pugs in seated position. Height of Male – 25cm Hei...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain ParrotBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Dublin 8, IE19th Century Meissen porcelain parrot with brightly coloured plumage naturalistically modelled and perched on a tree-stump applied with leaves and flowers. In 1731 the Meissen manuf...Category
Antique 19th Century English Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain