Dresden porcelain, as a term, is the subject of some confusion. In some contexts, it refers to the hard-paste ceramic wares produced by the workshops that sprang up in and around the Saxon capital in the 19th century. In others, it denotes only the output of one of these, Sächsische Porzellanmanufaktur Dresden, known in English as simply Dresden Porcelain, which was established in 1872 in the city of Freital, Saxony.
Complicating matters further, early publications about porcelain often used “Dresden” and “Meissen” interchangeably. It is true that the cities of Dresden and Meissen are connected through their long, shared history of decorative arts production and, in fact, most Meissen porcelain was sold in Dresden, the artistic and cultural center of Saxony.
However, Meissen is the site of the factory that produced the first European porcelain, at the turn of the 18th century, while Dresden did not come into prominence until the mid-19th century, during the high point of the Rococo revival. (Porcelain originated in China, which is why many collectors still seek out what they call "Dresden china.")
And while Meissen is known for manufacturing porcelain, from clay models through finished product, Dresden is celebrated for its decorating studios, of which there were several dozen in and around the city during the 19th century. Their skilled painters often used “blanks” from Meissen as their canvases. So a piece of Dresden porcelain may have been formed and fired at Meissen, painted in Dresden, and ultimately sold in one of that city’s shops.
The figurines, plates and vases produced during the 19th century via this complex process remain appealing to this day, their bright hues and pastoral imagery typical of the Rococo revival, which brought scrollwork, shells, foliage, flowers and fruit back into vogue after decades of restrained neoclassicism and austere Gothic Revival design. Dresden figurines, which like their Meissen counterparts were inspired by the characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, have a witty, cheerful quality that has been likened to that of scenes painted by Watteau and Fragonard.
Before its near-total destruction during World War II, Dresden was home to more than 200 painting studios.
The Dresden style, however, is associated with wares bearing the blue crown mark (Meissen’s mark is a pair of cobalt blue crossed swords), which was first registered in 1883 by Richard Klemm, Donath & Co, Oswald Lorenz, and Adolph Hamann. Prominent painters from this period include Helena Wolfsohn, Franziska Hirsch, Ambrosius Lamm — whose skill in the application of metallic or lustre paints is on lavish display in this dinner service from the 1920s — and Carl Thieme, a master in floral painting, as demonstrated by his decoration on this circa 1901 ram’s head urn.
Dresden painters also used a decorative technique known as “Dresden lace.” This involved dipping real lace into liquid porcelain and applying it to a figure, which was then fired in a kiln. The fabric would burn away, leaving a fragile, crinoline-like shell — the type of delicate and whimsical detail that characterizes Dresden porcelain, one of Europe’s great ceramic traditions.
Find authentic antique Dresden porcelain on 1stDibs.
Large Rococo Style Porcelain Mantel Clock by Meissen
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Large Rococo style porcelain mantel clock by Meissen German, 19th century Measures: Height 66cm, width 33cm, depth 25cm This superb mantel clock is a truly wonderful example of ...
Porcelain
Meissen porcelain 19th century mantle clock.
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th Century Meissen porcelain mantle clock on stand. Depicting seated lovers with a garland of flowers. The white enamel clock face ...
Porcelain
Rare Vienna Porcelain Boudoir Clock
By Royal Vienna Porcelain
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful Royal Vienna type porcelain boudoir clock featuring a classical maiden seated on a rock. She is holding a dove and is surrounded by delicate ...
Porcelain
19th Century German Meissen Porcelain Mantel Clock, Hand-Painted
Located in Queens, NY
German Meissen (19th Century) porcelain group of men and women with floral and bronze branches around mantel clock (not working)
Bronze
Exquisite 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Clock Case and Stand
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Miami, US
This stunning Meissen porcelain clock case and stand exemplifies the luxurious Rococo style of the 19th century, characterized by its elegant shell and foliate scroll silhouette. The...
Porcelain
Porcelain Clock in the Louis XV Style by Jacob Petit
By Jacob Petit
Located in London, GB
This antique porcelain mantel clock demonstrates the 19th century nostalgia for the delicately elegant decorative arts under King Louis XV, also known as the Rococo style. Crafted by celebrated porcelain artist Jacob Petit, this exquisite clock is particularly notable for the way in which the porcelain has been shaped so as to give the clock such a whimsically free-spirited, scrolling shape. The clock is formed as a clock case upon a lower base, which are both decorated as a though a singular piece with green glaze on a white ground, accented with painted floral panels and extensive gilt highlights all over. The clock case, which is particularly exuberant in design, features a central, circular clock dial. The white enamelled dial is bordered with beaded ormolu, and features black Roman numerals and the inscription 'Scherer'- the name of the 19th century Parisian clock...
Porcelain
Early Antique French Rococo Porcelain Boudoir Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely early French porcelain clock by Samuel Marti. Beautifully styled in the Rococo style with C scrolls and flowing foliage. Delicately decorated with exquisite bouquets of flow...
Porcelain
EARLY 19th CENTURY FRENCH PORCELAIN CLOCK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant biscuit watch with an allegory of pure love. The spring-loaded watch features an enamelled dial with double Arabic and Roman numerals, and a crown set with zircons cut like d...
Porcelain
Late 19th Century, Vienna Porcelain Mantel Clock
By Imperial Vienna Porcelain
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century Vienna porcelain mantel clock, having hand-painted classical figures and cherubs.
Porcelain
$51,405 / item
H 23.1 in W 17.7 in D 14.7 in
Important Meissen Porcelain Figural Clock Group on Original Marked Plinth
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Lisse, NL
Crossed Swords with Star • Late 18th Century Porcelain • Museum Quality. An exceptional and highly important Meissen porcelain figural clock group, representing one of the manufacto...
Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock, French 1880.
By Le Roy
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Portico Barley-Twist Marquetry Mantel Clock, French 1880. This beautiful and highly sought after marquetry detailed portico clock was handcrafted in Fr...
Bronze, Enamel
Minton Majolica Wine Ewer Designed by Hugues Protât, English, circa 1875
By Minton
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Minton Majolica Wine Ewer Designed by Hugues Protât (active 1835-90), English, ca. 1875, the body molded as a wine barrel with grape vines to the center, surmounted by four Bacchanalian cherubs, with a Renaissance-style shaped and scrolled spout; the entire piece from the pedestal to the spout is entwined with purple-glazed grapes and green leaves with tendrils, the handle formed by overlapping vines; the reverse with impressed marks, 'MINTONS' and design number '900,' which corresponds to 'Barrel Jug with Cupids (M)' as recorded in the Minton Majolica Ornamental Shape and Design books and partially reprinted in Bergesen. BOOK REFERENCES: Victoria Bergesen, MAJOLICA: British, Continental, and American Wares. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1989, p. 181. Minton Ornamental Shapes (i.e., design numbers) listed in Appendix D, pp. 180-182. Joan Jones, MINTON: THE FIRST TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF DESIGN AND PRODUCTION. Shrewsbury, England: Swan Hill Press, 1993, p. 348. Susan Weber et al., MAJOLICA MANIA: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States, 1850-1915, Volume Two, fig. 12.63. Full-page color photo of this actual piece. The author incorrectly dates the production of this example as 1863, but as it is impressed 'MINTONS,' it would have to be later than 1873 when the 'S' was added Minton. Victoria Cecil, MINTON MAJOLICA, Jeremy Cooper Ltd., Exhibition 7-26 June 1982, Galen Place, London, p. 48, cat. No. 17. Marilyn G. Karmason with Joan B. Stacke, Majolica, A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, New York, 1989, p. 41. The Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue for the International Exhibition 1862...
Majolica
George Jones Majolica Cobalt-Ground 'Doves Jardinière' English, circa 1870
By George Jones
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A George Jones Majolica Centerpiece Jardinière, the cobalt glazed shaped bowl supported by two naturalistically molded and glazed doves, with ribbon-wrapped garlands and trimmed in yellow ocher, on a rustic mound with green-glazed leaves and ferns forming the base; the reverse with molded and applied blue cartouche pad, 'GJ' monogram, and 'STOKE-on-TRENT.' Design number 2225 for the entry, 'Dove Jardinière,' as recorded in the George Jones Majolica Pattern Books preserved in the Victorian and Albert Museum, Wedgwood Collection, and reprinted in V. Bergesen.* The design is documented in the Karmason Library of the Majolica International Society, Number KL001257 with the designation 'Rare.' We have been among the preeminent specialists in fine English majolica for over thirty years. BOOK REFERENCES: -Victoria Bergesen, MAJOLICA: British, Continental, and American Wares. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1989, p. 202 (George Jones Majolica Pattern Numbers, pp. 201-205). -Susan Weber et al., MAJOLICA MANIA: Transatlantic Pottery in England and the United States 1850--1915. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2020, Volume Two, p. 246, FIG. 18.21. -CHRISTIE'S London, 19TH CENTURY BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL CERAMICS...
Majolica
Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha
By Manuel Mafra 1
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Palissy Ware Majolica Ewer, Portuguese, circa 1880 by Manuel Mafra, Caldas da Rainha. For over 28 years we have been among the Nation’s preeminent specialists in Fine antique Majolica. Book Reference: Marshall P. Katz, Portuguese Palissy Ware...
Majolica
Canton Famille Rose Mandarin Pattern Charger, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1890
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Canton Famille Rose 12.75-inch charger, the polychrome enameled surface depicting an active palace scene with a distinguished warrior and attendants being presented to the Emporer, the border with an arrangement of butterflies, flowers, and fruit on a gilded ground with four floral reserves with an alternating butterfly and bird (illustrated in J. Feller, p. 42, #2).* Book references Dr. John Quentin Feller, Chinese Export Porcelain in the 19th century: The Canton Famille Rose Porcelains. Salem...
Porcelain
Canton Famille Rose Large Baluster Vase, Qing Dynasty, Ca. 1840
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A large Canton Famille rose baluster vase, of baluster form, with a tall waisted neck, an everted scalloped rim, the neck and shoulders with applied paired confronting Foo lions and ...
Porcelain
