Exhibition

Evolution of a Royal Vision: The Birth of Meissen Porcelain

San Francisco International Airport museums – Through
September 13, 2010 — http://www.sfoarts.org

Approximately 100 pieces of the Malcolm D. Gutter collection
of Meissen, Chinese and Japanese porcelain are on view in
cases at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco,
California.  Not intended to be a comprehensive presentation
of Meissen porcelain, the exhibit is designed to highlight one
professor and Meissen scholar’s collection of special pieces.  
Each piece is highly desirable in and of itself, having been
produced between 1710 and 1750, and has a story associated
with it.  Taken together, however, they comprise a  particularly
special and engaging collection.  The exhibit of the Gutter
collection is especially significant during this, the tercentennial
of the invention and establishment of  Meissen porcelain  
manufacturing near Dresden Germany in 1710.

Porcelain was invented by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty
(617-906) and was progressively improved to the stunningly
beautiful ware that made its way to Europe in the 14th
century. There it and  the porcelain produced by the Japanese,
who also had the secrets to its manufacture, was highly
appreciated and valued.  Numerous individuals and scientific
organizations tried for decades to duplicate the quality, strength
and beauty of the ware imported from China and Japan – all
without success.  As a result of a cooperative between Freidrich
Bottger, an alchemist and Ehrenfried  Walther von Tschinhaus,
a scientist, Bottger, in 1709 after Tschinhaus’ death, succeeded
in producing the first porcelain of acceptable quality.  With the
establishment of the Meissen factory near Dresden Germany in
1710 a magnificent 300 year run of beautiful and highly durable
ware began and continues today.

Marking Meissen porcelain with the famous crossed swords
marking beginning in 1720 began what is today one of the
oldest and best known trademarks in existence.  Documented
variations in the Meissen crossed sword trademark allow the
approximate dating of the ware carrying the mark.  Not only
did the Meissen factory produce tableware but also figural
ware of exceptional quality such as figural horses, individuals
and chimney garnitures.

There are several excellent books available that discuss and
illustrate Meissen.  They can be found here:

The Book of Meissen (A Schiffer book for collectors)

The following video provides more good information about the topic.

 Link to this page

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