Meissen


Book Description

In 1911, Meissen produced a now extremely rare catalogue of the porcelain figures manufactured in the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century. The catalogue contained around 1800 photographic images with model numbers but no descriptions or other information and was used by Meissen salesmen to show to retailers and to gain orders. This book reproduces the catalogue in its entirety, with the addition of descriptions for the models, with information on size, modeller, and series. Many of the figures from the catalogue are also illustrated in colour, showing the intricate and beautiful work of Meissen at its best. To aid collectors wishing to identify models, a comprehensive index lists models by classification, e.g. Birds, Boxes, Cats, Chandeliers, Clocks, Cupids, Dancers, Dogs, Gardeners, Hunters, Lovers, Music, and more. This reference book is designed for collectors and dealers and for all those who are captivated by this unique porcelain.




Early Meissen Porcelain


Book Description

Represents the most recent and significant scholarship on the Wark Collection, one of the finest Meissen collections in the world.







Meissen Porcelain


Book Description

Meissen porcelain is eagerly collected throughout the world and traded vigorously at antique shows, auctions, and on the Internet. Of the few books available on this beautiful German porcelain, none includes current market values - but Jim and Susan Harran's new Meissen Porcelain does! The authors of the bestselling three-volume series, Collectible Cups & Saucers, and another volume, Dresden Porcelain Studios, have produced a book that features everyday items available in the marketplace, not the eighteenth century museum pieces found in many Meissen books. The majority of pieces featured date from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1950s. More than 625 color photographs are included, along with a helpful marks section. Meissen Porcelain provides historical information about the beautiful city of Meissen and a brief history of the Meissen manufactory itself, as well as discussions on decorating motifs and how Meissen porcelain is made. The book includes chapters on decorative porcelain, flower painting, Oriental motifs, Meissen's famous Blue Onion pattern, figures, copycats, and useful information for the collector.




The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710-50


Book Description

The Arnhold porcelain collection is the most important of the great pre-war Meissen collections to have survived intact, remaining with the descendants of the original collectors Heinrich and Lisa Arnhold. Most of the pieces date from the first decades of the royal factory established by August II, elector of Saxony and king of Poland, in 1710, featuring a broad range of early works, much of it experimental. Brought to America in the 1940's ahead of the family's move from Dresden, Henry Arnhold has continued to expand its depth and range, resulting in a rich and personal collection. This volume contains essays by Sebastian Kuhn and Heike Biedermann, and is introduced by Henry's Arnhold's personal recollection of his family as collectors and art patrons in Dresden and of how the porcelain collection was created.




Catalogue


Book Description










Fragile Diplomacy


Book Description

While imported Chinese porcelain had become a valuable commodity in Europe in the seventeenth century, local attempts to produce porcelain long remained unsuccessful. At last the secret of hard-paste porcelain was uncovered, and in 1710 the first European porcelain was manufactured in Saxony. Meissen porcelain, still manufactured today, soon ranked in value with silver and gold. This thorough and lavishly illustrated volume explores the early years of Meissen porcelain and how the princes of Saxony came to use highly prized porcelain pieces as diplomatic gifts for presentation to foreign courts. An eminent team of international contributors examines the trade of Meissen with other nations, from England to Russia. They also investigate the cultural ambience of the Dresden Court, varying tastes of the markets, the wide range of porcelain objects, and their designers and makers. Individual chapters are devoted to gifts to Denmark, other German courts, the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, France, and other nations. For every Meissen collector or enthusiast, this book will be not only a treasured handbook but also a source of visual delight.




Cabinet Pieces


Book Description

The Meissen figures, groups, animals and birds of the first half of the eighteenth century constitute not only a unique chapter in European ceramics but also a multi-faceted portrait of a society marked by humour, tolerance, scientific curiosity, and interest in all fields of art. Amongst the most original and beautiful artistic creations of this period are the porcelain birds modelled by Johann Joachim K�ndler. The present volume is the first comprehensive survey of more than one hundred porcelain birds by Johann Joachim K�ndler (1706-1775). This prolific sculptor created the models for all of these figures during the twenty-year period from his entry into service at the manufactory in 1731 up until 1750. The vast majority of these rare and magnificently coloured masterpieces were inspired by the observation of live specimens and are still unparalleled today. A total of 115 bird figures are published here along with the latest research findings and a wealth of historical cross-references and background. In some cases, the provenance of the figures can be traced back to the original royal collections or to those of the Rothschilds, Ole Olsen, and others. Without exception, all the present pieces now form part of European private collections. The original German-language publication was the catalogue of the exhibition Kabinettst�cke - Die Mei�ener Porzellanv�gel von Johann Joachim K�ndler 1706 -1775 (Munich, October 20 to November 18, 2006), in which the general public enjoyed an exceptional opportunity to see these masterpieces from private collections gathered together under one roof.