Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
Dish

CultureGerman
Titles
  • Dish
Datec. 1831–1855
Made inMeissen, Germany
MediumHard-paste porcelain with gilding
Dimensions1 3/8 × 7 × 5 1/2 in. (3.5 × 17.8 × 14 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Bayou Bend Docent Organization in memory of Ishbel Fairleigh, Nancy Mundinger, and Joanne Williams
Object numberB.2005.11
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Washington Hall
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

These two small dishes (see B.2005.10) offer a fascinating insight into the transfer of design—albeit, in this instance, the route is reversed with the Europeans copying the Americans rather than vice versa.

Similarities between American pressed glass and Meissen porcelain was recognized but it was not until 1984 that it was discovered that the porcelains were inspired by the American glassmakers. In the early 1830s, the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory assembled a collection of American glass dessert plates, fruit baskets, vases, decanters, candlesticks, and bowls, of both cut and pressed glass, to serve as models for porcelain. The pressed glass bore a special appeal for the fine detail that was realized in the relief designs. The Meissen versions could be embellished with enamel painting or highlighted with a luster gilding which had recently been developed. Meissen appears to have been the sole manufacture of porcelains “in the crystal manner” and enjoyed tremendous popularity. In fact, the firm’s records indicate that porcelains patterned after American glass enjoyed a stronger market than the glass itself.

The lacy Gothic pattern dish with the complimenting porcelain example introduce a pair of objects that are evocative of this highly unusual collaboration and reinforce the widespread popularity of Gothic motifs in the mid-19th century.


Provenance[W. M. Schwind, Jr. Antiques and Fine Art, Yarmouth, Maine]; purchased by MFAH, 2005.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Impressed on the underside: 61
Crossed swords in blue glaze on the underside

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Dish
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1765–1770
Hard-paste porcelain
2019.697.2
Set of Plates
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
1763–1774
Hard-paste porcelain
74.188.1-.6
Punch Bowl with Cover
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1765–1770
Hard-paste porcelain
2019.697.1.A,.B
Plate (from the Swan Service)
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1737–1741
Hard-paste porcelain
94.950
Wärmeglocke
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1761
Hard-paste porcelain, brass
2004.1370.1.A,.B
Omphale Figure
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
19th century
Hard-paste porcelain
B.69.15.2
image provided by MFAH Conservation department
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
18th–19th century
Hard-paste porcelain
B.67.12
Hercules Figure
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
19th century
Hard-paste porcelain
B.69.15.1
Cup, part of cup and saucer
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755
Hard-paste porcelain
94.945.1
Cup, part of cup and saucer
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755
Hard-paste porcelain
94.945.3
Saucer, part of cup and saucer
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755
Hard-paste porcelain
94.945.2
Saucer, part of cup and saucer
Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755
Hard-paste porcelain
94.945.4