Openwork Platter, Meissen
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.58 in (4 cm)Diameter: 7.49 in (19 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chorzów, PL
- 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: Chorzów, Poland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Porcelain Giesche Platter 1929 - 1944Located in Chorzów, PLPorcelain Giesche platter, 1929 - 1944. Dimensions: height 3 cm / diameter 26.5 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s German Other Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Platter by Krautheim Bavaria, GermanyBy Royal Porzellan Bavaria KPM Germany Handarbeit.Located in Chorzów, PLDessert plate by Krautheim Bavaria, Germany. Dimensions: avg. 20 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Porcelain Fruit Platter, Wawel, Poland, 1960sLocated in Chorzów, PLPorcelain fruit platter supported on a decorative leg, manufactured by Wawel, Poland in the 1960s. Very good condition, no damage. Measures: Height 6 ...Category
Vintage 1960s Polish Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Openwork BowlLocated in Chorzów, PLOpenwork bowl. Metal. Very good condition. Dimensions: height 9 cm, length 31 cm, depth 27 cm.Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Other Platters and Serveware
MaterialsMetal
- Bowl, Belvedere Augarten Wien AustriaBy Augarten PorzellanmanufakturLocated in Chorzów, PLA deep bowl with gilding and a floral motif. Signed Augarten Wien Austria. Collector's bowl from the Belvedere series. Without damages. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Austrian Other Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Porcelain Plate BoguciceLocated in Chorzów, PLPorcelain dish, signed Bogucice. Very good condition. It comes from the 1960s and 1970s. Measure: Diameter 33 cm.Category
Vintage 1960s Polish Other Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Neu Brandenstein Fish Platter & Strainer InsertBy Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Philadelphia, PAA fine Meissen porcelain fish tray with its rare strainer. By the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In the Neu Brandenstein Relief pattern. Or...Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Square Meissen dish / bowl in openwork porcelain with hand-painted flowers.Located in Copenhagen, DKSquare Meissen dish / bowl in openwork porcelain with hand-painted flowers and gold edge. Early 20th century. Measures: 20.5 x 3.5 cm. In excellent condi...Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen, Germany, Large Fish Platter, Hand Painted with Flowers and InsectsLocated in Copenhagen, DKMeissen, Germany. Large fish platter, hand painted with flowers and insects and gold rim. Approx. 1900. In perfect condition. First factory quality. Marked. Dimensions: L 62.5...Category
Early 20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Flora Danica Musk Ox Serving PlatterBy Royal CopenhagenLocated in New Orleans, LAThis custom-crafted Royal Copenhagen porcelain serving tray is part of the exceptionally rare Flora Danica Game Series. Flora Danica is known worldwide for its extraordinary illustrations of native flowers of Denmark, but this platter is part of a very rare series displaying only species of woodland animals. The present example is adorned with an illustration of the shaggy-haired musk ox...Category
20th Century Danish Other Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Large Round Platter in the Meissen Purple Indian PatternBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Boston, MAI would like to offer you this beautiful large round platter in the Meissen purple Indian pattern. It has detailed paintings of pink flow...Category
Vintage 1960s German Rococo Platters and Serveware
MaterialsPorcelain
- Huge Meissen Platter, Kauffahrtei / SeeprospektBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Dresden, DEExtraordinary large and beautifully painted platter. The painting in rust red camaieu style, extremely detailed and well done. Depicting some harbour scene with lots of figures. M...Category
Early 20th Century German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain