Meissen Europa and the Bull
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.35 in (21.2 cm)Width: 7.49 in (19 cm)Depth: 4.34 in (11 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1870
- 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 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 Shephard and ShephardessBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen Shephard and Shepherdess collecting fruit next to large ewer First modelled by Meyer in 1760. Circa 1860 Model number is 1776 and 1774. Underglaze Blue crossed swordsCategory
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Time and Patience Pair FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBMeissen time and patience pair figures. Woman playing a game of patience and the man looking at his watch. First modelled by Acier with Schoenheit in 1776...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Huntsman and Companion with DogsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Altrincham, GBModelled as a huntsman seated on a stool holding a gun, with a dog at his feet, on a circular plinth base, his female companion similarly modelled seated on a stool holding a hound a...Category
Antique Mid-19th 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
- Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four SeasonsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBThis delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring can be ide...Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Folk Art Paintings
MaterialsMetal
- 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Plaque of 'the Banishment of Ishmael and Hager'By Meissen Porcelain, Adriaen van der WerffLocated in New York, NYA 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Plaque of 'The Banishment of Ishmael and Hager', in its Original Frame. This fantastic Meissen porcelain plaque depicts...Category
Antique 1870s German Baroque Paintings
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Plaque Depicting Rembrandt and Saskia in the TavernBy Meissen Porcelain, Rembrandt van RijnLocated in New York, NYAn incredible and very rare 19th Century Meissen porcelain plaque depicting Rembrandt and Saskia in the Tavern. Meissen plaques are incredibly rar...Category
Antique 1860s German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Gilt and Painted Porcelain TrayBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Norwood, NJTwo handled Meissen heavily gilded charger or tray with pink rose painted flower in center and raised gold flower and leaf decoration on interior panels as well as rim and handles. C...Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsGold
- Meissen Plaque Depicting Four Royals Hunting in the Woods with a Dog and RiflesBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYAn exceptionally fine and quite larege Meissen hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting four royals hunting in the woods with a hunting dog and rifles. This is the finest quality of a...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis XVI Paintings
MaterialsPorcelain, Wood
- Set of 5 Meissen Figures Emblematic of the Senses by J.J. Kändler and EberleinBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA magnificent and fully complete set of 5 Meissen figures emblematic of the senses: Hearing, smell, touch, taste, and sight, Modeled by J.J. Kändler and J.F. Eberlein. These figures ...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain