Baroque Meissen Group Sleigh Ride with The Court Jesters by Kaendler circa 1750
View Similar Items
Baroque Meissen Group Sleigh Ride with The Court Jesters by Kaendler circa 1750
About the Item
- Creator:Meissen Porcelain (Manufacturer),Johann Joachim Kaendler (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6.1 in (15.5 cm)Width: 11.81 in (30 cm)Depth: 3.93 in (9.99 cm)
- Style:Baroque (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1750
- Condition:Small age-related, professional restorations on the reins, on the tip of the horse's left ear and on the top of the jester's hat.
- Seller Location:Vienna, AT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1014419621802
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.
- 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 Two Figurine Groups Four Seasons Allegories by Kaendler, circa 1850By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATPair of splendid figurine groups Manufactory: Meissen Germany Dating: made circa 1850 Material: white porcelain, glossy finish Technique: handmade porcelain, finest painting ...Category
Antique 1850s German Rococo Porcelain
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
- Large Mythological Meissen Group 'Triumph Of Venus', by J.J. Kaendler, c. 1870By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen PorcelainLocated in Vienna, ATRare and excellent porcelain sculpture: Depiction of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty (Greek: Aphrodite), as a young woman with her hair tied back at the nape of her neck,...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Baroque Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain
- Baroque Meissen Figure, Harlequin With Bagpipes, By J.J. Kaendler, Circa 1745By Johann Joachim KaendlerLocated in Vienna, ATMeissen Rococo harlequin with bagpipes of most lovely appearance.: The lovely harlequin is sitting on a rocky base which is decorated with some flower blossoms with leaves. The male ...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque 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
- 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
- Meissen Small Bust Emblematic of Winter, circa 1750By Meissen PorcelainLocated in Firenze, ITSHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). As a bearded man wearing a fur-lin...Category
Antique 1750s German Georgian Busts
MaterialsPorcelain
- Pair Meissen Porcelain Pug Dog Figures With Pup After J.J.KaendlerBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bridgeport, CTA beautiful pair of heavy Meissen porcelain figures of Pug Dogs with gilt bell collars on blue ribbons.The larger Pug with attached pup. Exquisitely hand-painted with realistic tones and colors. Each Pug is wearing a vibrant blue color ribbon collar...Category
20th Century Regency Animal Sculptures
MaterialsPorcelain
- Meissen Porcelain Revelry GroupsBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in New Orleans, LAThis charming pair of Meissen porcelain figures celebrates the essence of Revelry. First modeled by the renowned Johann Joachim Kändler on bases by Peter Reinicke, circa 1767, these ...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Figurative Sculptures
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
- Meissen Blanc de Chine Porcelain Jester and Monkey FigureBy Meissen PorcelainLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireA very fine vintage Meissen porcelain blanc de chine figure of a Jester with a monkey and owl dating from the 20th century. The figure stands on a narr...Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Porcelain
MaterialsPorcelain