Meissen Manufactory

Meissen’s production is considered to be the first European example of porcelain manufacture, as it is identical to Eastern porcelain in terms of consistency, quality and technical production methods.
The discovery took place in 1709, thanks to experiments conducted by the young Saxon alchemist Johann Friedrich Bottgèr who, financed by the ruler of Saxony Frederick Augustus I, managed to identify the secret ingredients of the precious paste brought to Italy from China, thanks to Marco Polo’s travels. The factory was officially opened on 23 January 1710, protected by a sovereign privilege to prevent leakage. The first period of manufacture was inspired by Chinese models and oriental decorations. Later, European-style decorations were introduced with subjects from the animal world, nature and scenes from everyday life. Meissen porcelain aroused the ambitions of many European rulers: although the German manufacturers tried to conceal the formula, slowly the secret of the technique spread to the rest of Europe.