Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Grieving Cupid, ca. 1860’s
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.13 in (18.12 cm)Width: 3.63 in (9.23 cm)Depth: 3.38 in (8.59 cm)
- Style:Belle Époque (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1860s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. We make our best effort to provide a fair and descriptive condition report. Please examine photos attentively, as they are part of the description. Send us a message to request more details or discuss price.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2819324734472
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 10 days of delivery.
- Meissen Porcelain, Pair of Mandolin Player & Woodcutter Figurines, ca. 1860’sBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYExecuted in the best traditions of Meissen, this lovely pair of statuettes depicts a female mandolin player and a woodcutter, where a musician entertains the laborer while he is occupied with his work. Hallmarked with Meissen crossed swords and numbered ‘18’on the bottom of both bases. Dimensions: Mandolin Player: Height: 4.07 inches (10.17cm) Width: 2.25 inches (5.62cm) Depth: 1.88 inches (4.7cm) Woodcutter: Height: 4.07 inches (10.17cm) Width: 1.88 inches (4.7cm) Depth: 2.75 inches (6.87cm) Meissen Meissen porcelain or ‘Meissen china...Category
Antique 1860s German Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Lame Cherub on Crutches, ca. 1880’sBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYThis delicate statuette, amazing in its plot and executed in the best traditions of Meissen, depicts a charming cherub with a sad face expression, who has injured his leg and is leaning on homemade crutches. It evokes in the viewer compassion and a smile of tenderness at the same time. Hallmarked with Meissen crossed swords and numbered ‘18’ on the bottom of the base. Dimensions: Height: 8.38 inches With: 3.63 inches Depth: 4.63 inches MEISSEN Meissen porcelain or ‘Meissen china...Category
Antique 1880s German Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Paul Scheurich for Meissen, Resting Nobleman, Porcelain Sculpture, circa 1920By Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYPresented here is one of the finest Meissen porcelain figurines of the Art Deco period by Professor Paul Scheurich (1883-1945), who is acknowledged to be one of the 20th century's gr...Category
Vintage 1920s German Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Carl Thieme Dresden Porcelain Figurine of Noble Gentleman in Love, ca. 1870’sBy Carl Teichert MeissenLocated in New York, NYHallmarked with Carl Thieme’ 1870’s porcelain mark in form of a crown over capital ‘N’. Dimensions: Height: 5.44 inches (13.6cm) With: 2.75 inches (6.87cm) Depth: 2.63 inches ...Category
Antique 1870s German Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Royal Vienna Porcelain Group of Children Playing Wedding, ca. 1915By Royal Vienna PorcelainLocated in New York, NYThis wonderful porcelain sculptural group depicting children playing in an 'adult wedding’ conveys with surprising accuracy the emotional component of the moment, conveyed in the expression of children's faces. Dimensions: Height: 7.13 inches (17.82cm) With: 11.75 inches (29.37) Depth: 4.5 inches (11.25cm) Royal Vienna Porcelain. The Royal Vienna Porcelain Manufactory (German: Kaiserlich privilegierte Porcellain Fabrique) was a porcelain manufacturer in Alsergrund in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1718 and continued until 1864. The firm was Europe's second-oldest porcelain factory after Meissen porcelain, and for 25 years the two remained the only European...Category
Vintage 1910s Austrian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Vally Wiethelthier, Drunken Sailor, Art Deco Art Ceramic Figurine, ca. 1925Located in New York, NYABOUT This funny, humorous tabletop ceramic figurine depicts a drunken sailor lying on his back. Around his neck is a metal ring with an anchor on it. MARKINGS Signed on the left buttock: "Italy". DIMENSIONS: Height: 2.5 inches Width: 2 inches Depth: 3.5 inches VALERIE “VALLY” WIESELTHIER (Austrian-American, 1895 – 1945) was an outstanding ceramic artist. She was born to a Jewish family in Vienna, Austria. Her father, Wilhelm Wieselthier was a lawyer. Valluy attended theWiener Frauenacademie in Vienna from 1912 to 1914 and studied at the Vienna School of Applied Arts with Rosalinda Rothhansl, Kolo Moser, Jodef Hoffmann and Michael Powolny from 1914 to 1920. In addition, she worked as an auxiliary nurse during the First World War. From 1917 to 1922, she worked for the Wiener Werkstatte. From 1922 to 1927, she ran her own ceramic workshop in cooperation with the Augarten porcelain factory, which was newly founded in 1923, but also with other companies such as Friedrich Goldschider, Gmundner Keramik and Lobmeyr. Her expressive and humorous porcelain figures attracted attention at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et industriels modern in Paris in 1925 and are considered typical examples of the Art Deco style style. From 1928, the artist increasingly moved her center of life to the United States. She went to the International Exhibition of Ceramic Art in New York City in October 1928. In 1933, she moved to Chicago with Paul Lester Wiener...Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCeramic
- 1860 Meissen Porcelain Figurine GardenerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATFor sale in this ad you can find the sweetest little porcelain figurine. It was manufactured by Meissen Porcelain in the 1860s. The figurine depicts a little gardener working away in...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Austrian Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsGold Leaf
- 1860 Meissen Porcelain Figurine WaiterBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATFor sale in this ad you can find the prettiest little porcelain figurine. It was manufactured by Meissen Porcelain in the 1860s. The figurine depicts a water carrying a tray with foo...Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsGold Plate
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Figurine of Cupid Holding an Arrow & Flaming HeartBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis antique figurine was made by the renowned Meissen factory of Germany is approximately 1850 in the period Dresden style. The figurine is done in early paste porcelain and depicts a cherub, or Cupid seated on a stump, holding an arrow with an outstretched hand, and cradling a flaming heart...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Romantic Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Meissen Pair Of Gardener Figurines, By Kaendler & Schoenheit, Ca 1860By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim Kaendler, Johann Carl SchoenheitLocated in Vienna, ATGardener couple consisting of two individual figures. The female gardener wears rural rococo clothing: a dress with elaborate floral decoration and pinne...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 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
- Antique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBAntique German porcelain group of Venus with Cupid by Meissen German, c. 1750 Height 20.5cm, width 11cm, depth 12cm This charming Meissen porce...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain