Meissen Blue Onion Centerpiece or Fruit Bowl
View Similar Items
Meissen Blue Onion Centerpiece or Fruit Bowl
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)Width: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Length: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1920
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very Nice Antique Condition.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: f172721711179107031fs
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.
- Antique English Chestnut Basket or Centerpiece and Underplate, Spode, circa 1820By Josiah SpodeLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA charming antique English porcelain piece by Josiah Spode, England dating to the first quarter of the 1800s. Hand-cut reticulation on the center bowl and stand/underplate and nicely...Category
Antique 1820s English Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
$796 Sale Price / set20% Off - 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 - 19th Century Cobalt Blue Crystal Centerpiece, Stag, Deer & Scenic SurroundLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA striking and vibrant centerpiece by the European crystal cutters. This centerpiece features a full surround of cased crystal stag, deer and flora fauna ...Category
Antique 1880s Czech Centerpieces
MaterialsCrystal
- Tall Turquoise Glass Centerpiece Epergne, Hand Blown Custom Colors AvailableBy Pairpoint GlassworksLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAn exquisite tall and impressive centerpiece that we have commissioned from original archives. Beautiful and hard to find turquoise blue with signature controlled bubble base created...Category
2010s American Centerpieces
MaterialsBlown Glass
$2,970 Sale Price / item40% Off - "Cinderella's" Tureen. Moser Cased White Crystal & 24Karat Gold CenterpieceBy MoserLocated in West Palm Beach, FLHow beautiful and elegant is this unique punch bowl, tureen or centerpiece. Pumpkin shaped and heavy, this piece features an elaborate design of cased white glass with all over 24 ka...Category
Antique 1880s Czech Centerpieces
MaterialsCrystal, Gold
- 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
- Meissen Three-Tiered Dessert Stand or CenterpieceBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Great Barrington, MA20" tall Meissen three-tiered dessert stand with unusual 5 1/2" tall trumpet vase. Hand-painted "Blue Onion" pattern with pierced rims. Largest cake...Category
Early 20th Century German Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain, Paste
- Meissen Splendour Centerpiece with Dancing Gardener Children Kaendler circa 1860By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATFour gardener children, two girls and two boys, dancing hand in hand in a circle around a palm-like plant, on the crown of which rests a breakthrough bowl, the figures are wearing el...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair Of 2-Storey Meissen Porcelain Centerpieces With Gardener Children, Ca. 1860By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATPair of delicate porcelain centrepieces on a high, round base with curved boss decoration, the shaft divided by bead-like extensions, above two tiers in the form of two differently s...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Cupid Centerpieces with BasketsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYPair of 19th century Meissen Porcelain compote centerpieces with cupids running after each other around a tree with filigree baskets on top with raised...Category
Antique 19th Century German Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Blue Onion Compote in Openwork Porcelain, Early 20th CenturyLocated in Copenhagen, DKMeissen Blue Onion compote in openwork porcelain. Early 20th century. Measures: 20.5 x 6.8 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 1st Factory quality.Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Splendid Centerpiece With Music Playing Children, by Leuteritz, Mid-20thBy Meissen Porcelain, Ernst August LeuteritzLocated in Vienna, ATThe centerpiece was designed by Leuteritz using old forms in Rococo style: High, round rocaille base, centered a high column, covered on the front and back with large rocaille panel...Category
Mid-20th Century German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain