Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
Plate (from the Swan Service)

Public Domain

ManufacturerManufactured by Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (Meissen, Germany, established 1710)Meissen, Germany, established 1710

ArtistModelled by Johann Joachim Kändler (German, 1706–1775)German, 1706–1775

Artist Johann Friedrich Eberlein (German, 1696–1749)German, 1696–1749

CultureGerman

Titles

Plate (from the Swan Service)

Datec. 1737–1741

PlaceMeissen, Germany

MediumHard-paste porcelain

Dimensionsheight × diameter: 2 1/2 × 14 13/16 inches (6.4 × 37.9 cm.)

Credit LineThe Rienzi Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harris Masterson III

Object number94.950

Not on view

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Department

Rienzi

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionIn 1710, Augustus the Strong—Elector of Saxony and King of Poland—established a porcelain factory after two of his workers discovered the formula for hard-paste porcelain, a coveted secret previously known only in Asia. Located in Meissen (in what is now Germany), the porcelain factory was placed under the supervision of the prime minister, Heinrich, Count von Bruhl, in 1733. Von Bruhl soon arranged for the production of a magnificent dinner service that would bear his coat of arms. Four years in the making, this famous set—known as the Swan Service—originally contained more than 2,200 pieces and remained in the possession of his family until after World War II.

ProvenanceHeinrich, Count von Brühl, and his wife, Maria Anna Franziska von Kowlorat-Krakowska, 1741; by descent in the Brühl family until the late nineteenth century; [art market, Copenhagen]; purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Harris Masterson III; given to MFAH, 1994.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Blue crossed swords, incised "4" and dreher's mark (2 incised dots) on the underside.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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