Period: Late 19th Century (hand-painted blue porcelain hallmark on the base)
Style: Rococo Style
Material: Porcelain, 24K Gilt Gold
Origin: Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, Germany (Founded 1710 – Present)
Description
This pair of Meissen porcelain figurines are dressed in authentic 18th-century French court costumes. One figure plays a long flute while the other performs on a violin, capturing an exquisite musical scene of court musicians performing at a royal ball during the reign of Louis XVI.
Founded in 1710 by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony, in Dresden, the Royal Meissen Porcelain Manufactory was relocated to Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen in the same year to safeguard its exclusive porcelain-making secrets.
In its early years, Meissen specialised heavily in replicating Chinese and Japanese porcelain wares, particularly Japanese Imari and Kakiemon polychrome porcelain, achieving an imitation quality nearly indistinguishable from the originals. Nevertheless, it is Meissen’s iconic Rococo-style porcelain sculptures that secured its reputation as Europe’s leading porcelain manufactory.
Master artisans meticulously modelled figures, flowers, birds and beasts from fine kaolin clay, then embellished them with rich polychrome glazes. Meissen’s master ceramic artists blended the soft subtle elegance of Oriental aesthetics with the sumptuous splendour of Western decorative art, creating a unique aesthetic charm and earning Meissen the title of Europe’s Finest Porcelain.
Since the era of the Duchy of Saxony, Meissen porcelain has been celebrated for its elegant design and entirely handcrafted production. Highly coveted by European royalty, nobility, celebrities and statesmen, its value has long been comparable to fine gold.
Meissen porcelain embodies nearly three centuries of European ceramic art heritage. Each piece undergoes over 80 elaborate handmade procedures. All colour pigments are formulated with proprietary secret recipes and strictly kept confidential by the factory’s pigment laboratory for exclusive use. Adhering to exquisite workmanship, elegant proportions and fluid lines, every Meissen work fully reflects consummate craftsmanship and profound artistic attainment.
To this day, Meissen remains a symbol of elite social status in Germany, and ownership of Meissen pieces is regarded as a mark of prestige. Its stylistic influence has shaped the entire European porcelain industry, making Meissen rightfully known as the Platinum of European Porcelain.
The iconic Meissen blue crossed swords hallmark is a crucial reference for dating porcelain works. Derived from the heraldic shield insignia of the Elector of Saxony, it symbolizes supreme imperial authority.