ADVERTISING INFORMATION

The present city of Meissen is situated in the Kingdom of Saxony on both banks of the Elbe The 1000-year-old town of Meissen lies  a short distance northwest of Dresden. Meissen is, of course, known all over  the world for its beautiful porcelain - identified by the distinctive trademark featuring two crossed swords. 

Meissen porcelain  was not famous until 1715 when the  white colour was adhered to the porcelain. But it was only in 1720 that Meissen succeeded in producing quality coloured porcelain in quantity under the talented direction of the painter and decorator, G Höroldt, (1696-1775).
The first articles to be produced were breakfast sets, comprising of 6 cups and saucers, a slop bowl, tea and coffee pot, a tea caddy and sugar bowl and sometimes goblets for chocolate with one, two or no handles. Jugs for chocolate, cream or milk were manufactured after 1730. Dinner sets with large dishes were not produced until 1734. 
Next came larger pieces such as chimney pieces. Vases of all descriptions were made in sets of five or seven. Pagoda figures with firm or nodding heads appeared. There was an immense demand for wine and beer jugs, salt cellars, knife-handles and soup tureen salad bowls, ink stands, snuff boxes, pipes, chess pieces, etc.
The factory's leading modeler at this time from 1735 to 1756 was Kändler (1706-1775). His style started off as Baroque, then in the 1740s changed to Rococo. Many larger pieces of animals and vases were supplied to the Elector's (Japanese) palace in Dresden. In 1741 King Augustus III ordered a figure of himself to be made.

The National Porcelain Factory, for which the town is famous; the Market Place, reminiscent of the Late Gothic Town Hall and is surrounded by burghers’ houses in Gothic and Renaissance styles. See Castle Hill – the castle, the cathedral and is subsidiary buildings are all grouped on this hill which was he original site of the town.

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