Blue Porcelain
Dresden Porcelain
Dresden porcelain and Meissen porcelain are sometimes confused, due to their long and entangled early history. Beginning in the early 1700′s, Johann Bottger, a talented inventor, was kept as the prisoner of Prince Augustus at Albrechtsburg castle in Meissen, a small village only a few miles down the road from much larger Dresden. It was there that Bottger discovered how to make a porcelain as fine as that being imported from China and Japan.
Bottger was originally imprisoned because Prince Augustus believed that Bottger could fashion gold from other materials. When Bottger instead discovered how to make porcelain, Prince Augustus was pleased. Because Prince Augustus was a serious collector of porcelain from Japan and China, he opened a porcelain factory in the Albrechtsburg castle in order to guard the secret of porcelain.
Dresden, Germany was a fundamental heart of the intellectual, artistic, and cultural movement. Many porcelain decorators, as well as sculptors, philosophers, poets, and painters, settled in Dresden. The phrase Dresden porcelain actually denotes more of a movement that focused on artistic interests instead of a specific company that produced Dresden porcelain.
Early Dresden porcelain pieces were seconds (or rejects) from the Meissen manufactory. The painters of the porcelain are the ones who expanded the reach and reputation of the porcelain of Dresden throughout the world. Factories inside Dresden eventually obtained the ability to fashion their own hard-paste porcelain from scratch.
Within a few years of inventing porcelain, Bottger died. His apprentice, Johann Horoldt, invented real porcelain paints. These paints were formulated by mixing finely ground glass and metallic ingredients, then binding it with oil. Used during the third mild process phase, the porcelain paint was fired on the translucent glaze. In this manner, the beautiful paintings, and other designs that are part of the allure of Dresden porcelain, were born. Another Horoldt invention that was important in the development of Dresden porcelain was the emergence of the color, iridescent purple. This color was soon seen as a sign of a genuine piece Dresden porcelain.
Rococo revival is a phrase that is used to describe the style of Dresden porcelain. The extensive use of complicated and creative paintings using a plethora of shells, flowers, scrolls, fruit, and foliage was first used by the decorators of Dresden porcelain. The dinnerware collections of Dresden porcelain also enjoyed the most success with this decorative style. These designs were painted on Meissen porcelain blanks in the early years. This probably added to the confusion between Dresden porcelain and Meissen porcelain.
For almost two hundred years, the area enjoyed immense success with its Dresden porcelain. That all ended on the night of February 13, 1945 when allied forces bombed Dresden. The city was almost completely destroyed. Nearly everything in the Dresden porcelain factories was burned beyond recognition. This event effectively signaled the end of the manufacture of Dresden porcelain.
The exquisite designs, and elaborate paintings, featured on many pieces of Dresden porcelain lend themselves to the allure of these highly collectible pieces. In addition, the abrupt ending of the manufacture of Dresden porcelain also adds to its appeal.
The mark of an authentic piece of Dresden porcelain is one of a blue crown with the word Dresden beneath it. This is not to be confused with the crossed swords mark found on Meissen porcelain.
About the Author
Lawrence Bell is Publisher of The Antiques Bible. The Antiques Bible offers an illustrated glossary of antiques terminology with links to other helpful resources.
Blue and White Porcelain
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Lodge Color 6-Quart Dutch Oven $117.95 Cast from molten iron in individual sand molds, each piece features two layers of baked-on enamel. The 6-quart size is perfect for soups, stews or buttery peach cobblers, and easily goes from stovetop or oven to table to freezer. The deep colors make them excellent for serving.Product Features• Oven-safe to 400 degrees F• Freezer-safe• Tightly fitting lid seals in moisture and the k… |
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Copco 2510-9963 Acadia Reusable To-Go Mug, 16-Ounce Capacity $5.69 Stop throwing away countless foam cups and help protect the environment with this insulated, re-usable travel coffee cup from Copco. This white cup features a brown, non-slip grip that resembles the sleeve on disposable cups. The lid quarter turns to seal and lock in place, which helps to prevent leaks. The entire cup is insulated, which makes it perfect for retaining either heated or cold beverag… |
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Columbian Home 0707-1 Granite Ware 21-1/2-Quart Steel/Porcelain Water-Bath Canner with Rack $18.47 Columbian Home Products 21 QT. Cold Pack Canner With Rack Capacity To Hold Seven Quart Jars Note: Cannot be used on sealed glass top stoves… |
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Play $4.80 Those who have followed Moby’s career are familiar by now with his deep convictions and spiritual connection. On his 1999 release, Play, he celebrates his faith in a masterful, unobtrusive way, channeling gospel and other inspirational samples through beats so earthy they could grow grass on a cement dance floor. It’s impossible to separate the joy of the message from the joy of the grooves. –Bet… |
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Pure Moods, Vol. III $9.28 What’s most surprising about the Pure Moods series is not that it is so popular, but that the music on it actually represents some of the best New Age and modern instrumental music, rather than scraping the barrel. For every piece of Enya pop froth–like her “Only If,” which opens the album–there is a deep and impassioned exploration like Sheila Chandra’s virtually a cappella “Ever So Lonely/Eyes… |
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Chilling with Friends $0.89 … |
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Sheffield 1126 Porcelain Touch-Up $2.94 Will not turn yellow. Gives a hard, waterproof, glazed finish to any chipped porcelain or tile surfaces on drain boards, bathtubs, refrigerators, and stoves. Withstands temperatures up to 400 F. Restores natural and original beauty. Ready to use. 1 oz. size. White…. |
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Water Dispenser Replacement Faucet – White $4.15 3/4 inch white Tomlinson lever faucet for use with ceramic water dispensers…. |
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Rachael Ray Blue Porcelain 6 quart Covered Saute Pan $0 This 6-quart saute pan from Rachael Ray features a vibrant blue porcelain exterior with a nonstick interior. This pan also features silicone handles and a glass lid. |
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Over-the-door 10 Light Blue Porcelain Ball Hooks $20.49 Finish: ChromeOver the door hooks with 10 light blue porcelain ballsDimensions: 16 inches long x 5 inches wide x 8 inches high |
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SomerTile 12.25×12-in Penny 3/4-in Cobalt Blue Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) $67.99 Glazed Porcelain Tile for your kitchen, bath, fireplace, pool, foyer or backsplashFloor and wall tile comes in tones of white, black, blue, green and red Tile’s transitional design is styled for Interior and Exterior use |
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SomerTile 12.5×12.5-in Morocco 2.5-in Blue Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) $84.99 This glazed porcelain tile is ideal for your kitchen, bath, fireplace, pool, foyer or backsplash. This floor and wall tile comes in tones of blue. |
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Paula Deen Robin’s Egg Blue Porcelain 3-quart Saute Pan $44.99 This saute pan by Paula Deen features a colorful speckled porcelain exterior that is durable, stain resistant and breeze to clean. This cookware has a heavy gauge construction, heats up quickly and evenly and a durable DuPont Teflon nonstick interior. |
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SomerTile 12.25×12-in Penny 3/4-in Lite Blue Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) $56.99 Glazed Porcelain Tile for your Kitchen, Bath, Fireplace, Pool, Foyer or BacksplashFloor and Wall Tile comes in tones of White, Black, Blue, Green, Red & MoreThis tiles Transitional design is styled for Interior & Exterior use |
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Paula Deen Signature Robin’s Egg Blue Porcelain 6-quart Stockpot $44.99 This stockpot Paula Deen has a colorful speckled porcelain exterior that is durable, stain resistant and breeze to clean. This cookware has a heavy gauge construction, heats up quickly and evenly and a durable DuPont Teflon nonstick interior. |
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SomerTile 12×12-in Samoan 9/16-in Neptune Blue Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) $145.99 SomerTile glazed porcelain tiles are the perfect touch anywhere in your home. These transitional-styled tiles are ideal for interior or exterior use. |
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SomerTile 13.125×11.5-in Modena Cobalt Blue Porcelain Mosaic Tile (Pack of 10) $81.99 Glazed porcelain tile for your kitchen, bath, fireplace, pool, foyer or backsplash. This floor and wall tile comes in tones of blue. |
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SomerTile 11.75×11.75-in Samoan Subway 0.5×1-in Neptune Blue Porcelain Tile (Pack of 10) $139.99 These tiles feature a glazed smooth finish with a medium sheen and a moderate variation in tone. |
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KitchenAid Midnight Blue 2.25-quart Tea Kettle $0 A comfortable grip handle with push-and-pour spout and midnight blue porcelain exterior make this KitchenAid kettle a kitchen essential. This tea kettle features a strong whistle and 2.25-quart capacity. |