Meissen cane handle modelled by J C L von
Lucke 1728-29 AD - courtesy
R&G McPherson Antiques

Little figure modelling was done at Meissen until 1727 AD when Johann Kirchner joined Meissen. As Augustus kept a menagerie with wild animals at his hunting lodge he decided around 1730 AD to have porcelain versions of the animals made for the Japanisches Palace. Many of these were to be life-sized, which was very ambitious considering the technology at the time and there were many losses and various residual faults. Two famous modellers were involved, Kirchner, who worked from engravings, and was reputedly the finest modeller at Meissen, and Johann Kaendler, who modelled from life, often by visiting the menagerie to study the wild animals. Augustus also used models with a hunting theme as table centrepieces. There remain 20,000 porcelain pieces in the Dresden Porcelain Gallery of which 200 are creatures from the porcelain menagerie. In 2005 AD two Meissen herons sold for £3.7m. Stoneware was discontinued at Meissen around 1730 AD in favour of porcelain.

Count Heinrich von Bruhl was advisor to Augustus until 1733 and his name is particularly remembered because a popular porcelain model was made by Kaendler of von Bruhl’s tailor riding on a goat.

Meissen Count Bruhl’s tailor on a goat - source
my-antiques-world, konjanik

Bruhl senior was succeeded in that year by his son, who was made director of the Meissen factory. The period up to the death of Augustus in 1733 AD is known as the “painted” phase. After the death of Augustus, Kirchner resigned and Kaendler took over as the “modelmaster”, moving on to smaller figures as table decorations, which became very fashionable throughout Europe. This started the second “modelling” phase. Between around 1736 and 1750 AD he modelled 15 figures from the Saxon court forming the “Krinolinengruppe”. At the same time he modelled a number of figures from the Commedia dell’arte, such as Harlequin, Pierrot, Columbine and Scaramouch. Kaendler then went on to model craftsmen, miners, peasants and beggars, setting the tone in porcelain figures for the other factories in Europe.

Meissen figures, map seller 1748 AD by
Kaendler and hunter 1745-50 AD by Eberlain

However, Kaendler became as renowned for his dinner services as for his figures. Around 1735 AD he started to make large table services, including probably the most famous of all porcelain services, the “Swan” service, in the Rococo style commissioned by the Minister, Count von Bruhl. It comprised some 2,200 pieces and was made between 1737 and 1742 AD. Each piece had a swan in relief and the Bruhl coat of arms. Kaendler is also credited with inventing the “osier” decoration, mimicking basket weaving.

Plate from the Swan service
1737-40 AD - source Fine
Art Museum, San Francisco
via David Rumsey

Meissen porcelain 1740-55 AD, trembleuse
chocolate cup and saucer, cosmetic pot,
blanc-de-chine cup and saucer, and gold
mounted box and cover” courtesy
R&G McPherson Antiques

12.1.8 Progress in Central Europe

The Vienna factory was suffering severe financial problems, so Du Paquier sold it to the State in 1744 AD, and it became the Vienna Porcelain Factory. In 1784 AD the factory was losing so much money the State tried to sell it but could not, so they put in a new director, K von Sorgenthal. He revived the factory and it prospered, even outshining Meissen. At the turn of the 19^th century the Vienna school of porcelain painters was renowned, and the quality of painting in the factory, often scenes of Vienna and landscapes, was amongst the finest in Europe. In the middle of the 19^th century styles changed and competition increased and the Vienna factory closed in 1864 AD. The Royal Government subsequently permitted other Austrian factories to use the original moulds to make reproductions.