Meissen Group Allegory 'the Love', by J.J. Kaendler, Germany, circa 1900
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer),Johann Joachim Kaendler (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Width: 3.55 in (9 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
- Style:Rococo (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1900
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1014434644432
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: Vienna, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Meissen Porcelain Group Four Gardener Children Playing Music, J.J. Kaendler 1850By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATExcellent Meissen piece from the time the model was created: Four children in festive rural rococo dress on a high, stepped round pedestal, decorated with a leaf wreath and bow festo...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Baroque Meissen Porcelain Group Four Children Playing Music, J.J. Kaendler, 1770By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATExcellent Meissen piece from the time the model was created: Four children in festive rural rococo clothing on a high, tiered round base, decorated with a leaf wreath and ribbon fest...Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Mythological Group 'Thalia With Tree', by J.J. Kaendler, Germany, c 1900By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATVery rare Meissen group: Thalia, the muse of theater and comic poetry, covered only with a large cloth, smiling and sitting on a rock under a cherry tree, holding a mask next to her...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Group Bacchanal With Wine Barrel, by Kaendler & Meyer, Germany Ca 1870By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATRare, excellent porcelain group of the 19th century: Youthful Bacchus with nymph and putti grouped around a large wine cask: The Bacchant, covered with a leopard skin, sitting sideways on the barrel, holding up grapes in his left hand and a wine glass with lid...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Centerpieces
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Meissen Cherub Group Allegory Summer & Autumn, by J.J. Kaendler, C 1750By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen Porcelain Group From The Time Of Origin: Two naked cupids and a ram on a rocaille rock, depicting the seasons of summer and autumn: Summer bedded on a bundle of ears of cor...Category
Antique 1760s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Dog Group Pug with Puppy and Bells by J.J. Kaendler Germany, circa 1850By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATLovingly designed group of animals: Sitting female pug with jingle collar, looking attentively to the right, between her legs a small puppy looking out. Designer: Johann Joachim...Category
Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Figural Sweetmeat Dishes, J.J. KandlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine pair of Meissen porcelain chinoiserie figural sweetmeat dishes, after a model by J.J. Kandler Each with a Malabar chinoiserie figure seated on...Category
Mid-20th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Group Six Figurines Allegory of Earth by Acier Model D 83By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Norwood, NJLarge Meissen group of figurines which are Allegory of Earth assembled around a Lion's Figurine. Manufactory: Meissen Hallmarked: Blue Meissen Sword M...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen - figurine of a Bacchant by Kaendler, 1740By J.J. Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in DELFT, NLEarly Meissen figurine of a bacchant eating from a grapes, as an allegory of autumn. Model by Joachim Kaendler. unmarked, ca 1740-60.Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie "Gold Dragon" Flower-Encrusted GarnitureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA Meissen porcelain ‘Gold Dragon’ pattern three-piece garniture. A Meissen porcelain reticulated three-piece basket Garniture and stands. ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Rococo Porcelain
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
- 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