Meissen Plaque Depicting Four Royals Hunting in the Woods with a Dog and Rifles
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Louis XVI (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-1800s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU919516029552
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 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
- 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
- Antique Painted Porcelain Plaque Depicting an Orientalist Beauty, Signed ViennaBy Royal Vienna PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA very large and magnificent antique painted porcelain plaque depicting an orientalist beauty dressed in silk, jewelry, pearls, and 24-karat raised gold and enamel, signed Vienna. Th...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Paintings
MaterialsEnamel
- A 19th C. Meissen Porcelain Figurine Depicting a Cat with Captured MouseBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Marvelous 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Figurine Depicting a Cat with Captured Mouse. Standing at an impressive 7 inches tall, this adorable handcrafted, hand-painted Meissen Po...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 19th Century Meissen Porcelain: Empress Catherine ii of Russia's Favorite DogBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA 19th century Meissen Porcelain Model Of Empress Catherine II Of Russia's Favorite Dog (Russisches Windspiel). This delightful 19th-century Meissen porcelain model depicts Empress C...Category
Antique 1860s German Louis XVI Models and Miniatures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaques of Floral Still-Life PaintingsBy KPM PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine pair of hand-painted porcelain plaques of floral still-life paintings with original giltwood frames. These beautiful floral still-life paintings have been hand-painted on porc...Category
Antique 1870s German Louis XVI Paintings
MaterialsPorcelain, Giltwood
- 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
- Copeland Porcelain Plaque Depicting the Casket Scene from the Merchant of VeniceBy CopelandLocated in London, GBCopeland porcelain plaque depicting the Casket Scene from The Merchant of Venice English, Late 19th Century Frame: height 47.5cm, width 65.5cm, de...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Paintings
MaterialsPorcelain, Giltwood
- Meissen Reticulated Cabinet Plate with Flower Bouquet and Raised Forget Me NotsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Boston, MAThis is an exquisite Meissen cabinet plate painted with a large beautiful flower bouquet. The Meissen plate has a very intricate reticulated or ...Category
Antique 1890s German Romantic Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- A Pair of German K.P.M Porcelain Plaques Depicting "Aligira and Tirian"By K.P.M. BerlinLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Pair of antique German KPM porcelain plaques depicting "Aligira and Tirian" Marked with 'K.P.M' Sceptre Mark with the letters 'SZ', with size marks 915-255, marked with Royal Vien...Category
Antique 19th Century German Classical Roman Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- "Royal Vienna” Plaque Painted with 4 Ladies with Flower Baskets on Their HeadsBy Royal Vienna PorcelainLocated in Boston, MAI am offering you this spectacular large "Royal Vienna" Porcelain plaque, which is artist signed Forster. The plaque is entitled "Herse opfert der Minerva" on its back. Herse was the...Category
Antique 1890s Austrian Classical Greek Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Orientalist Porcelain Plaque in the Style of KPMBy Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)Located in London, GBOrientalist porcelain plaque in the style of KPM German, 20th century Measures: Frame: Height 64cm, width 53cm, depth 4cm Plaque: Height 54cm, width 43cm, depth 0.5cm This fine and exceptionally large porcelain plaque...Category
20th Century German Paintings
MaterialsPorcelain, Wood