Meissen Apple Picking Group
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Diameter: 3.94 in (10 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Altrincham, 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: Altrincham, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Meissen Spring Season GroupBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen group Allegory of Spring (Der Frühling). First modelled by Johann Carl Schönheit in 1782. Two children with birdcage and garland of flowers. Impressed G91, painters Mark 6...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Loving Group of Soldier and CompanionBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Loving Group of Soldier and Companion modelled by Schoenheit Inscribed E13 Height 19cm Circa 1840. ----SHIPPING - Please contact us for a competitively priced shipping quote.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Adam and Eve Group around Tree of KnowlegeBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBModelled with Adam and Eve standing beneath the Tree of Knowledge and about to partake of the Forbidden Fruit, the serpent coils around the branches above them while different animal...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Group of Three Dogs Two Bolognese Spaniels and a Pug DogBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Group of Three Dogs two Bolognese Spaniels and a Pug dog sat on a grassy mound base.- Modelled by Kaendler. circa 1850. Height 14cm / 5.5inch.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German 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 Racegoer and CompanionBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBA pair of Meissen figures of the Racegoer and his companion, holding his spyglass to his right eye, his left holding the top of his cane, his companion holding a letter and with her ...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Rococo Style Gardener Group, 'Apple Harvest', by Kaendler, Germany, 1850By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATElaborately crafted porcelain group from the 19th century: A couple of gardeners and two boys harvesting apples, dressed in rural Rococo robes with fine decorations, a boy standing at the top end of the ladder leaning against the tree and picking apples, below them the gardener couple, the female catching them in her apron held high while the beau reaches an apple to her mouth, a boy sitting behind the tree and taking an apple from the full hat standing next to him on a tree stump. On a round meadow base with three-dimensional foliage and gold-heightened rocaille decoration. Designer: JOHANN JOACHIM KÄNDLER (1706 - 1775) was chief sculptor at the Meissen manufactory from 1742 to 1775. He is the most famous modeller Meissen manufactory ever had and created famous series such as Shepherd Figurines, Comedian's Children, Gardener Children (with Acier), Paris Town Criers (with Reinicke and Meyer) , Gallant Figurines, etc. Kaendler designed model 1755...Category
Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 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
- 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
- 19th Century Meissen Group Representing SpringBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn enchanting fine quality 19th Century Germany, Meissen Porcelain group of four children representing 'Spring' Having wonderful bold colouring and a blue crossed swords signature to...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Romantic Porcelain
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
- 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