1920’s Store / Porcelain / Meissen 1920s Art Nouveau Figures

Meissen 1920s Art Nouveau Figures

Meissen porcelain is the first European hard-paste porcelain that was first developed in 1708. The commercial production of porcelain at Meissen, near Dresden, Germany, began in 1710 attracting artists and artisans who established the famous porcelain manufacturer which is still in business today, Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH. In order to identify the original Meissen products, Meissen developed markings that initially were painted on, but were soon fired in underglaze blue. Its signature logo, the crossed swords, was introduced in 1720 to protect its production; the mark of the crossed swords is one of the oldest trademarks in existence.

In 1720 Johann Gregorius Höroldt became the director and introduced brilliant colors which made Meissen porcelain famous. The next sculptor, Johann Jakob Kirchner, was the first to make large-scale statues and figurines, especially of Baroque saints.

In the nineteenth century Ernst August Leuteritz modernized many of the rococo figurines, and reissued them, creating a "Second Rococo" characterized by lacework details (made from actual lace dipped in slip and fired) and applied flowers; English collectors used the term Dresden porcelain to describe these wares. In 1903, old styles were revived and reinterpreted and eighteenth century models were restored. Some appealing work in the Art Nouveau style was produced, but Meissen's mainstay continued to be the constant production of revived eighteenth-century models.

Meissen Art Nouveau Auctions

Meissen Art Deco Auctions

Meissen 1920's Porcelain Auctions

Meissen Porcelain Auctions