Set of 24 Pieces German Meissen Porcelain Dinner Service with Floral Decor
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)Depth: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 24
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Age appropriate wear. Please look at the various photos available.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- 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: Atlanta, GA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- English Porcelain Compotes and Plates with Floral Décor and Gilt TrimLocated in Atlanta, GAEnglish porcelain compotes and plates from the 20th century, with floral décor and gilded trim, priced and sold $275 individually. Attracting our attention with their lovely silhouet...Category
20th Century English Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- England Crescent Ware 1890s Porcelain Pot with Floral Motifs and EPNS LidLocated in Atlanta, GAAn England crescent ware porcelain pot from the late 19th century, with floral motifs and electro plated nickel silver lid. Created in England during the last decade of the 19th cent...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Porcelain
MaterialsEPNS
- Ridgway Porcelain Dinner Plates and Compote with Green Rim and Floral DécorLocated in Atlanta, GAFour Ridgway porcelain hand painted dinner plates and one compote from the 19th century, with green rim and floral decor, priced and sold separately. Born in England during the 19th century, each of these Ridgway porcelain pieces features a lovely green rim with gilt accent, surrounding a central hand painted ring of colorful floral motifs. The dinner plates present a scalloped edge, while the compote, resting on a circular base, is accented with gold and white volutes and pierced motifs. The plates are 1 inch high while the compote is 2 inches high. They are marked with the United Kingdom coat of arms...Category
Antique 19th Century English Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of French 19th Century Porcelain Compotes with Painted Birds and FlowersLocated in Atlanta, GAA pair of French porcelain compotes from the 19th century, with painted birds, flowers and gold trim. Born in France during the dynamic 19th century, each of this pair of compotes fe...Category
Antique 19th Century French Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- French 19th Century Majolica Porcelain Yellow Glazed Basket with Six Egg CupsLocated in Atlanta, GAA French yellow glazed majolica porcelain basket from the 19th century, with a set of six egg cups and pink ribbons. Created in France during the 19th century, this majolica porcelai...Category
Antique 19th Century French Porcelain
MaterialsMajolica, Porcelain
- Pair of French Late 18th Century Paris Porcelain Cachepots with Floral DécorLocated in Atlanta, GAA pair of French Louis XVI period Paris porcelain cachepots from the late 18th century, with hand-painted floral décor and gilt accents. Created in France during the short reign of K...Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- French Limoges Porcelain Service with Fish Decor Signed Benoit, Set of 13Located in Dallas, TXDecorate a vaisselier or a shelf with this colorful set of twelve (12) porcelain plates and matching platter. Crafted in Limoges France, and signed underfoot by the artist, Benoit, e...Category
Vintage 1980s French Porcelain
MaterialsAbalone, Porcelain
- Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner ServiceBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBAntique Meissen 68-piece floral dinner service German, c. 1900 Largest serving dish: Height 6cm, width 52.5cm, depth 37.5cm Square salad bowl:...Category
Antique Early 1900s German Rococo Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large German Porcelain Dinner Service, Meissen, circa 1875Located in New York, NYDelicately painted in German taste with rose camaieu flowers, the cavetto with spiral molding insterspersed with flowers, and the border with variations of basket weaving. Covered tureen and stand, pair of entree dishes, bowl, sauceboat, fish platter, meat platter, 12 dinner plates, 12 soup bowls, 12 coffee cup and saucers, 12 demi tasse cup and saucers...Category
Antique 1870s German Dinner Plates
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of 10 Porcelain Luncheon Serving Pieces from Late 19th Century, GermanyLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 10 porcelain luncheon serving pieces in late 19th-century Franco-German style. Featuring a mahogany-toned medallion of a female bust in profile and aquamarine Greek key trim, the set is as cheerful as it is dignified. Includes one round platter, a footed bowl, two soup bowls and four sandwich...Category
Antique 1880s German Empire Revival Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Gold and Floral Decor Porcelain PlateBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vilnius, LTGerman Meissen porcelain plate richly decorated with gold and hand painted floral decor.Category
Mid-20th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Royal Copenhagen Ichthyological Porcelain Part Dinner 'Fish-Service'By Royal CopenhagenLocated in London, GBA Royal Copenhagen Ichthyological porcelain part dinner 'fish-service' Danish, 20th century Plates: height 2cm, diameter 24cm Long dish: height 5cm, width 60cm, depth 24cm Cons...Category
20th Century Danish Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain