Set of 12 Meissen "Motto Children" Figures
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 12
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1880
- Condition:Repaired: Minor professional repairs to some flowers and extremities, now in excellent condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU986224748332
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Very Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Day and Night FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA magnificent pair of very large Meissen putti representing Day & Night by Heinrich Schwabe. Each figure wrapped in a cloth, float above the earth's atmo...Category
Antique 1870s German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Figural Group with a Musician Playing the DrumsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA lovely 19th century German Meissen porcelain figural group of a standing lady appealing to a standing gentleman and a musician sitting by their feet playing the drums. Late 19th century. Blue Meissen crossed sword...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Meissen Figure of a Standing LadyBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CAA beautiful large 19th century Meissen porcelain figure depicting a standing maiden in period dress with elaborate floral decoration raising her apron. her corset and borders made fr...Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Bust of a ChildBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Los Angeles, CALarge Meissen Porcelain modeled as a bust of a young child wearing a floral decorated cap, wearing open shirt with floral embellished sash. Late 19th century Crossed swords in ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- A Fine Pair of 19th Century German Meissen Porcelain VasesLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Fine Pair of 19th Century German Meissen Porcelain Vases Painted with group and bird scenes. Heavily decorated on both sides of the each vase Germany, Circa 19th Century S...Category
Antique 19th Century German Art Nouveau Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Two-Tier Dessert Dishes with Gilt BronzeLocated in Los Angeles, CAA Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain two-tier dessert dishes with Gilt Bronze Dimensions: Height: 13", Width: 9" Signed with 19th century Meissen double sword mark Excel...Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Porcelain
MaterialsOrmolu
- 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
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Cherub Motto Figurine "Je decouvre tout" Model F13By Meissen Porcelain, Michel Victor Acier 1Located in Philadelphia, PAA fine antique porcelain Cupid figurine. By Meissen. Model no. F13 from the Cupid Motto Series. Entitled "Je decouvre tout". Originally de...Category
Early 20th Century German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Early Meissen Round Group of Gardener Children, by J.J. Kaendler, 1763-1774By Meissen Porcelain, Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen porcelain group from the time of origin: Four children in festive, rural rococo clothing on a three-part rocaille base: on the central raised pedestal a girl with a basket o...Category
Antique 1760s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of PuttiBy Meissen Porcelain, Heinrich Schwabe 1Located in New York, NYA Fantastic and Large Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain "Day & Night" Figures of Putti. Each is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted by the finest Meissen artists. They are both gorgeous with draped attire and a plethora of various day and night based attributes. Day is seen wearing a pink...Category
Antique 1870s German Rococo Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Chinoiserie Style of Nodding Pagoda FiguresBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA large rare pair of 19th century Meissen Chinoiserie style Nodding Pagoda Figures with Movable Head, Hand and Tongue, known as a "Nodder'. This Unusual...Category
Antique 1850s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Set of Five Allegorical Porcelain Sculptures by MeissenBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBSet of five allegorical porcelain sculptures by Meissen German, c. 1975 Measures: Height 15cm, width 10cm, depth 8.5cm The five figures in this set are allegorical of the senses...Category
Vintage 1970s German Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain