Meissen Gorgeous Mantle /Table Clock Four Elements Sculptured Cherubs circa 1860
View Similar Items
Meissen Gorgeous Mantle /Table Clock Four Elements Sculptured Cherubs circa 1860
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.91 in (45.5 cm)Width: 11.61 in (29.49 cm)Depth: 6.69 in (17 cm)
- Style:Rococo (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1860-1870
- Condition:MUSEUM QUALITY (there aren't any damages existing) !
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU101444740523
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.
- Meissen Gorgeous Figurine Group the Four Seasons Cherubs by Kaendler c. 1755-60By Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen gorgeous figurine group of finest quality: There are four cherubs symbolizing the four seasons - of most lovely appearance visible. Manufactory: Meissen Dating (please note!...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 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
- Meissen Figurines Cherubs Allegory of Arithmetic Model 12 by Acier, circa 1860By Michel Victor Acier 1Located in Vienna, ATMeissen Gorgeous cherub figurines group: Allegory of Arithmetic. Designer: Michael Victor Acier (1736-1799). Design made circa 1774 / this model of cherubs' group had been mad...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Two Centrepieces Fruit Bowls Cherubs Model A 59 Kaendler Made circa 1860By Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen a pair of most remarkable centrepieces / fruit bowls: each of them decorated with a pair of cherubs (male and female) Measures / dimensions: height 16.14 inches width o...Category
Antique 1860s German Rococo Porcelain
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 Cherubs Four Seasons Figurines Model 1068 Kaendler Made, circa 1870By Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen Gorgeous Cherubs (= Seasons' Figurines): Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) And Winter. The Details Are Stunningly Scupltured = Finest Modelling Manufactory: Meissen Dating:...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen CherubBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Brighton, SussexAn enchanting late 19th Century Meissen Porcelain cherub, press two hearts together. Wonderful bold colours, blue underglaze blue crossed swo...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Classical Greek Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- A 19th Century Meissen Porcelain 'Elements' Ewer Emblematic of AirBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of air. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water, i...Category
Antique 1880s German Rococo Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain 'Elements' Ewer Emblematic of WaterBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 19th century Meissen porcelain 'Elements' ewer emblematic of water. Blue crossed swords mark. The present ewer, representing water,...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Cherub Motto Figurine "Je decouvre tout" Model F13By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1Located in Philadelphia, PAA fine antique porcelain Cupid figurine. By Meissen. Model no. F13 from the Cupid Motto Series. Entitled "Je decouvre tout". Originally de...Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early 18th Century Meissen Oval Wall Beveled Mirror Pair of Cherubs, GermanyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioFine German Meissen porcelain beveled wall mirror with a pair of figural cherubs. Finely modelled as an elegant 18th century piece of art, hand painted white porcelain china with cob...Category
Antique Early 18th Century German Rococo 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