Dresden << DREHZ duhn >> china is a type of porcelain that is produced in Meissen, Germany, near the city of Dresden. The Meissen factory became the first manufacturer to produce true porcelain in Europe.
The Meissen porcelain factory was established in 1710. The factory was directed by the German chemist Johann Böttger. In 1708, Böttger became the first European to make porcelain. At first, the factory produced hard red stoneware. In 1713, it began making the white porcelain for which it became famous.
The first great artistic period at the Meissen factory began in 1720, under the direction of Johann Horoldt, a German painter. Horoldt specialized in enameling Chinese landscapes and European scenes on porcelain (see Enamel). The European scenes featured featherlike trees and exotic floral designs.
In 1733, the German sculptor Johann Kandler became factory director and designed beautiful Meissen porcelain ornamental figures and tableware. Kandler designed the famous Swan Service (1737-1741), a set of tableware in which the pieces were decorated with the raised figures of dolphins, swans, water plants, and mythical maidens. Kandler also introduced realistic porcelain flowers, which became one of the Meissen factory’s most distinctive designs.
Meissen porcelain was first called Dresden china in the 1700’s. The Meissen factory still produces porcelain today. Its trademark of two crossed swords remains one of the most famous in pottery.
See also Böttger, Johann Friedrich; Porcelain.
