Features of Meissen porcelain

You don't need to be a collector, you just need to be considered an educated and cultured person to imagine what Meissen porcelain is. If you have not heard this word before, but have begun to be seriously interested in dishes, then you cannot do without familiarization with this brand.

Meissen porcelain has been produced for three hundred years - this is impressive and creates a considerable stir next to German products. Porcelain products are considered the property of Germany: they are exhibited in the most famous museums in the world, they also become the long-awaited lots of private auctions. People admire this porcelain and sing praises to it, try to unravel the secret of production. The lucky ones can buy a piece of porcelain for their collection.

It all began in the city of Meissen (formerly Meissen) by the famous Elbe River. The city is ancient, it is more than 1000 years old. A significant event for the city was the construction of the Albrechtsburg Castle in the 15th century. When the king of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, ascended the throne, the castle underwent reconstruction. Craftsmen began to punch through the palace ceilings, put up stoves, and they began to make wooden partitions in the halls. For a time, the castle resembled a large building with boxes, tubs and various tools: as if the soil was growing for the emergence of porcelain.

In 1710, a truly grandiose event happened: porcelain was invented in Europe, but how exactly this happened, we cannot find out. The recipe for European porcelain is still classified. Why he appeared, in principle, can be assumed. Augustus the Strong was a very ambitious ruler, he clearly tracked the economic benefits of various objects, and he was not satisfied that the Albrechtsburg castle was not used at full power.

Finally, the famous Chinese porcelain was too expensive, and the thought of creating his own, no less beautiful, probably seriously worried Augustus the Strong. And he found a man who was able to solve the Chinese manufacturing secret (well, or close to it). So, the German alchemist Friedrich Bettger managed to become a master who performed a small miracle - it was he who invented hard European porcelain.

The material itself began to be produced in the castle, over time, workshops were built specifically for production purposes, and in these workshops "white gold" is still being made. It was a breakthrough, Meissen became known throughout Europe. In the suburbs of the city, a place was found where the main component for creating porcelain was found. A small mine was built in this place, and in it kaolin was mined exclusively for the Meissen manufactory. This is the name of the purest white clay, refractory and transparent. It organizes excellent plastics in the manufacturing process, serves as an ideal porcelain material.

More than one factory has tried (and is trying) to figure out the formula of Meissen porcelain. Until now, only a select few know exactly what happens to kaolin, quartz and feldspar during production. It is not known in what proportions the components are mixed, how they are stored. This is a big secret that allows the famous brand to be considered the flagship of the world porcelain production for several centuries. Although more than once, not the most noble historical manipulations associated with the secret have been committed.

The creator of the porcelain did not tell anyone the recipe, the workers knew only a certain stage. And when Böttger died, one of his confidants, the keeper of the secret, simply fled to Vienna and wanted to develop his manufacture there. True, Augustus the Strong made sure that the traitor was returned to his homeland.

It is not easy to buy authentic Meissen porcelain; the product must have a brand. Fraudsters take advantage of this and put fake brand names on products. It is not difficult to find samples of true signs and see how they have changed over the years, and what are their features. Often, a specialist's opinion is indispensable: he will appreciate the full quality of the stamp, as well as the quality of the decoration.

Since 1948, the manufacturer has affixed annual marks, and these annual marks can also be considered an authenticity cipher. At the plant, this was taken more than seriously: the strictest quality control made it possible to prevent rejects at the output. If a product was flawed, it was rejected or sold to artisans as a second-rate product.

But, by the way, such home paintings are highly valued: they are considered more expensive than factory ones, since they are exclusive and keep all the features of the author's handwriting. In this case, adjustments were made to the brand: if the body was damaged, one line was put, two or three - if the decor was damaged.

As you know, porcelain was invented in China. For this reason, during the first decades, Meissen porcelain was painted with oriental motives. Recognizable herons in the reeds, fishermen, ornaments, flowers - that's what flaunted in the first works. Johann Gregorius Gerold preferred to work in the Japanese Kakiemon style. Japanese artists were restrained in color solutions, but Gerold learned to get colors in a new way, and thanks to this skill, the color gamut expanded to hundreds of shades.

In 1731 Johann Joachim Kendler entered the porcelain business. To this day, he is considered the chief sculptor of the famous enterprise.His birthday is still celebrated today: for example, in 2006, they celebrated 300 years since the birth of the legendary artist. The creator was a genius of his time: he created at least 1000 miniature sculptures, he even managed to sculpt life-size figurines of birds.

He had many imitators, he became a classic of this artistic direction: the curves of handles in the tureens invented by him, complex floral decorations, graceful angels and poured fruits became models, ideals of this art. Styles changed, fashion turned sharply to the side, but nothing influenced the splendor of the bouquets and fruit scattering on Meissen dishes.

Following Kendler, Michel-Victor Asier continued the tradition of porcelain luxury. His arrival affected production: white unglazed porcelain - biscuit - was in fashion at that time. It has become an ideal canvas for mythological figurines. It is interesting that art critics are still arguing about Assier: some claim that he was the best, that he created genuine Meissen porcelain, others say - no, he cannot be compared with Kendler, under Assier the quality of the goods decreased.

The history of Meissen porcelain also includes such names as Hermann Zeilinger, Hugo Stein, William Baring, Otto Edward Voight. It is impossible not to mention Paul Scheurich, he mainly worked in the Art Deco style, and it was this master who created the famous series "Russian Ballet", which arose in connection with the legendary performances of Diaghilev's ballet in Berlin. Styles changed, but rococo remained at the core.

Masterpieces from Meissen are impeccable quality control, the use of various mixtures, the creation of the widest range of products.

The master's mixture is prepared in several stages. First, they combine the ingredients strictly according to the recipe, then they grind everything very well, add a little water and mix until smooth. Excess moisture is squeezed out using a filter press.

Let's consider the features of production.

• To this day, potters take part in the creation of Meissen masterpieces, they operate the potter's wheel with their feet. Wet palms of the master clasp the workpiece, which rotates on a circle, the surface is cleaned to homogeneity. After that, the shape of the product can be changed manually by the master.
• Then the workpiece is placed in a rotating plaster mold: the master presses with a sponge on the soft inner walls of the workpiece, so the relief and structure of the matrix is ​​transferred to it. Using this technique, they create cups, bowls, teapots, jugs and other utensils.
• After half an hour, the product is removed from the plaster matrix. The shape is divided into several segments, which allows you to remove it without deforming the product. For the matrix, gypsum is used, which absorbs part of the moisture, which increases the strength and reliability of the product.
• Flat dishes are made differently. The craftsman cuts the clay layer to size and places it on top of the mold. In order for the product to acquire external contours, the second shape from the top is applied (it is also responsible for the thickness of the walls). Then on the reverse side of the product, the batch number is beaten.
• Details of small objects are classically cast in shape, but the handles of large ones are sculpted. The handles are subsequently glued with a liquid solution - a slip.

Many of the nuances of creating tableware and figurines are known to modern craftsmen, but not all. Keeping secrets and loyalty to them allows the Meissen brand to continue to develop, because its tea pairs, vases, tureens and plates do not need advertising.

Porcelain from Meissen has been forged from the very beginning of its existence.In 1772, a trademark was invented - two crossed swords, it changed over the years, but the essence remained the same. Under the swords today there is an inscription Meissen, which indicates that such a product was made later than 1974.

It is interesting that counterfeits are so skillful that an ordinary buyer is not able to understand the authenticity of the product. Many experts assure that only representatives of the manufacture itself can say for sure whether you bought a real antiques or a beautiful fake. Not everyone can get such an expert assessment, but if you buy something that is positioned as an old Meissen porcelain, be sure to enlist the help of specialists.

Thing is fragile, requiring careful care. And the older the product, the more trembling the owner treats it. Even if you bought modern tableware or a vase of a famous brand, you will need to learn how to take good care of it.

• Porcelain can only be washed by hand; you cannot do it by weight, under running water. Place the product in a plastic container, spread a soft towel at the bottom.
• The water should be warm, but not hot. All products with handles must be held by the body, carefully supporting them from below.
• Household chemicals should be completely abandoned. The most you can afford is neutral baby soap. If there are streaks or cloudy spots, you can drop a little ammonia into the water.
• Outside, porcelain is sometimes wiped with a light solution of hydrogen peroxide. The inside of the porcelain can be wiped clean with diluted tooth powder.
• No brushes, sponges or washcloths are used, only soft cloths can be used in the porcelain washing process. The spouts of teapots are cleaned with a fine baby bottle brush.
• Porcelain products are not left in water for a long time - sometimes because of this, cracks form on the enamel. There is also no need to rub the dishes when washing.

In 2010, the world-famous German manufactory celebrated its 300th anniversary. On the occasion of the anniversary, the craftsmen made replicas of the products that made her famous - the Swan Service, the Monkey Orchestra and other sculptures. They sold out for a lot of money, although Meissen porcelain was never cheap.

For the history of Meissen porcelain, see the video below.