White gold, art and history

For almost a month, the Romanian National Art Museum will host a few of the reputed Meissen china. The display is organised by the team of the Decorative Art section of the National Museum and will be open until September 1, 2000. The display is titled “Epochs and styles: Meissen china, centuries 18 – 20” and it intends to present the esthetic aspect of the objects – shapes, décor, style.

The china on display comes from the Meissen factory that was created by royal decree on April 24, 1708. Auguste Le Fort, elector of Saxa at the time, a passionate for oriental porcelain, encouraged all tentative to reproduce such artwork. Johann Friederich Bottger has experimented with his creosotes, magical substances and managed to produce a new kind of ceramics.

The secret was well kept in Saxa and the procedure was exploited in the Meissen Factory. The “white gold” as they called it, was officially born in 1713. The combination of kaolin and crystal, burned in successive furnaces produced so much enjoyment to the nobility that, for three centuries, the Meissen logo (two crossed swords) was the symbol of luxury. In the beginning, the Meissen porcelain reproduced the Chinese objets d’art. The factory gradually introduced new, original models with arabesques and sculptures.

The so-called “plastic” period of the factory (1731 – 1763) was marked by the presence of two important figures: the sculptor J.J. Kandler and J.G. Horoldt. Until 1740, the Chinese models and the Indian flowers dominated the production at Meissen. But Horoldt, painter of the Court since 1724, wanted to diversify the thematic and invented his own models, inspired from the time’s engravings.

It is then that the baroque pieces were made. The favourite subjects were the hunting scenes and the classical allegories. The display at the National Art Museum mirrors the evolution of a style and the guiding lines for a way of life. The Meissein porcelain will be available for study from Wednesday to Sunday, between 11 and 19. Students, war veterans and pensioners benefit from a ticket price reduction.