Meissen Child Bust 'Winter' from Series of The 4 Seasons, H. Schwabe, circa 1880
View Similar Items
Meissen Child Bust 'Winter' from Series of The 4 Seasons, H. Schwabe, circa 1880
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer),Heinrich Schwabe 1 (Sculptor)
- Dimensions:Height: 10.43 in (26.5 cm)Width: 6.29 in (15.98 cm)Depth: 5.11 in (12.98 cm)
- Style:Rococo (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1014420454872
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.
- Rare Meissen Figure Group 'Cupids On Dolphin' by Heinrich Schwabe Circa 1890By Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Schwabe 1Located in Vienna, ATVery rare and loving porcelain figure group of the 19th century: Two cupids with a dolphin on a restless sea, one of the boys dressed only in cloths sitting on the animal's back and ...Category
Antique 1890s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Two Figurine Groups Four Seasons Allegories by Kaendler, circa 1850By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATPair of splendid figurine groups Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: made circa 1850 Material: white porcelain, glossy finish Technique: handmade porcelain, finest painting ...Category
Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Two Children Seasons Figurines The Fall Model F 24 Acier, circa 1870By Michel Victor Acier 1Located in Vienna, ATMeissen lovely pair of children season's rococo figurines - The Fall: Girl and boy with wine grapes, both supporting themselves on marble column Ma...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Splendour Clock 'The Four Seasons' by E.A. Leuteritz, Around 1880By Meissen Porcelain, Ernst August LeuteritzLocated in Vienna, ATThe clock case was designed by Ernst August Leuteritz using old moulds in the Rococo style: The clock case rises on a base with gold-highlighted rocailles, richly decorated with deli...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Figurines The German Bacchus Model D 13 Johann C. Schoenheit, circa 1880By Johann Carl SchoenheitLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen quite rare figurine group: the so-said German Bacchus Excellently painted & modelled (the details are stunningly sculptured = finest modelling) Design: -- Johann Carl Sc...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare Meissen Rococo Genre Group 'The Happy Parents', by M V Acier, Circa 1860By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1Located in Vienna, ATExceptional Meissen porcelain group of the 19th century: Young mother in elaborate Rococo house dress: Ruched wide long skirt, bodice, fitted frilled coat with hood, the upswept hair covered by a high voluminous bonnet with ruched hem and bows, sitting on a splendid Louis XVI style bench and placing her right foot on a stool, beside her the happy spouse in frock coat, waistcoat over frilled shirt and knee breeches with white stockings, both embracing each other at the back and looking down at the baby wrapped in cloth and lying half naked on a cushion on both their laps, the father guiding his right hand to the mother's chin in an affectionate gesture. Behind them a little boy in a playsuit and hat, holding a bowl and blowing soap bubbles with a tube. The group is based on an oval natural base with sculpted flowers and foliage and gold heightened lateral frieze decoration. Particularly elaborate, detailed design and staffage. Designed by MICHAEL VICTOR ACIER (1736 - 1799) Skilled as a sculptor in Paris, he received a call to the porcelain manufactory in Meissen in 1764, and was there, after Kändler's death in 1775, solely responsible for the artistic interests of the manufactory. He created a large number of groups in the Watteau style...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Small Bust Emblematic of Winter, circa 1750By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). As a bearded man wearing a fur-lin...Category
Antique 1750s German Georgian Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of PuttiBy Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Schwabe 1Located in New York, NYA Fantastic and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of Putti. Each is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted by the finest Meissen artists. They are both gorgeous with draped attire and a plethora of various day and night based attributes. Day is seen wearing a pink...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Winter, from the Four Seasons, Bow Porcelain Factory, circa 1750By Bow PorcelainLocated in Melbourne, VictoriaA personification of Winter, from The Four Seasons. Unusually fine condition for a figure of this period.Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Neoclassical Porcelain
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 - Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of a Child Playing a LuteBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany in approximately 1850 in their period Dresden romantic style. The figurine is composed of their paste porcel...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Romantic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Bust of a ChildBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge Meissen Porcelain modeled as a bust of a young child wearing a floral decorated cap, wearing open shirt with floral embellished sash. Late 19th century Crossed swords in ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Busts
MaterialsPorcelain