Antique Meissen Porcelain Model L125 Figure of A Cupid Mocking
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Maker),Heinrich Schwabe 1 (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 7.75 in (19.69 cm)Width: 3.75 in (9.53 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor wear commensurate with age and use. The base has small chip as shown.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7838236070262
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: Millis, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Boy & The Bird Cage Figure ModelBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GAMeissen, 19th century. A fine quality Meissen porcelain figurine depicting a young boy playing with his pet bird. The figure stands next to a pierced porcelain bird cage adorned wit...Category
Antique 19th Century German Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair, Antique Meissen Porcelain Ornithological & Gold Encrusted ChargersBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GAMeissen (German, founded 1710), 20th century. A pair of fine quality porcelain chargers depicting two hand painted birds. Each centralized ornithological bird perched on a branch is...Category
20th Century German Aesthetic Movement Porcelain
MaterialsEnamel
- Antique Meissen Porcelain Model of 2 Dancing Figures Circa 1815By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GAThis antique Meissen porcelain figurine depicts two dancing figures and dates back to approximately 1815. The piece is crafted from high-quality porcelain and features intricate deta...Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain "Little Gardener With Basket" Model #2By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GANice small figurine of a little girl in dress and flowers, made by famous German manufactory Meissen. The model was created in 1770s by Johann J. Kändler as a part of "Gärtenkinder"...Category
20th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain "Grape Picker Boy" - Gardeners Series No. 8 ModelBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Atlanta, GAMeissen Porcelain "Grape Picker Boy" - Gardeners Series No. 8 Model. Meissen Grape Collector first modelled by J J Kaendler 1740 Number 8 From a series of GardnersCategory
20th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair, Edme Samson Porcelain Figure Models of Mars & Venus After MeissenBy Samson & CieLocated in Atlanta, GASamson, Edme Et Cie (Founded 1845), 20th century. A two piece grouping of porcelain figures depicting Mars & Venus. Modeled after the Meissen originals. "Samson began his career b...Category
20th Century French Rococo Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Rare Meissen Figure Group 'Cupids On Dolphin' by Heinrich Schwabe Circa 1890By Heinrich Schwabe 1, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATVery rare and loving porcelain figure group of the 19th century: Two cupids with a dolphin on a restless sea, one of the boys dressed only in cloths sitting on the animal's back and ...Category
Antique 1890s 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
- Fine Meissen Porcelain Figure of a Rabbit after a Model by J. J. KandlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New York, NYA fine Meissen Porcelain rabbit figure, after a model by J.J. Kandler; with blue double-crossed swords underglaze mark including a blue dot between swords, Indicative of the Pfeiffer...Category
Vintage 1920s German Rococo Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- 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
- Meissen Porcelain Bird ModelBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in London, GBA Meissen porcelain bird model German, late 19th century Measures: height 15cm, width 15cm, depth 9cm This elegant miniature, of a ptarmigan or sim...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Animal Sculptures
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