Meissen Teapot

For nearly three centuries many of the most exquisite examples of the world’s finest porcelains are Meissen teapots.

A Meissen style teapot

For many years Europeans had been trying to duplicate the fine hard-paste porcelain formula used in China and Japan for nearly one thousand years. This was achieved in 1708 by Johann Frederick Bottger, an alchemist working for the Meissen manufactory. In 1710 Bottger was appointed director in charge of experimentation and development.

Bottger's first successful invention was a red stoneware, also known as Bottger Stoneware. Produced by the Meissen manufactory from 1708-1728, the stoneware was so hard it could be polished, faceted or engraved.

To view a beautiful example of a Meissen red stoneware teapot, circa 1715-1720, displayed at The J. P. Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California visit Getty Edu. This rare deep red teapot has silver-gilt mounts and chain.

With the addition and proper blending of kaolin and petuntse, Bottger soon perfected the correct formula needed to produce the beautiful hard-paste white porcelain of China. By 1713, Meissen was producing beautiful, delicate and elegant glazed white porcelain pieces.

Among the Meissen pieces displayed as part of The Arnold Collection of Meissen Porcelain at the Frick Collection Museum in New York City, was a fabulous all white, glazed teapot with cover, circa 1713-1715. To view the teapot, along with other pieces of Meissen belonging to the Arnold Collection visit Roberta on the Arts. Scroll down to the third picture to see this marvelous example of early Meissen. There are also two additional early teapots, 1725-1731, displayed on the page. To see them scroll down to pictures twelve and thirteen.

Museums throughout the world house many of the following teapots.

See more collectible teapots in this slideshow.

• Displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is a unique teapot by Meissen, circa 1725. This unusual teapot does not have a top opening. Instead the teapot’s base has a hole used for filling. Once filled, a cork plugs the hole. The detailed scene on this teapot of exotically dressed people with a palm tree behind them on one side and people preparing tea wearing similar clothing on the reverse side is known as a chinoiserie. This term refers to highly detailed and often fanciful scenes of Oriental life as imagined by the Europeans.
• An exquisite chinoiserie designed globular teapot, circa 1723, sold at Christie’s Auction of London on 11/18/08 for $37,675.
• An elegant teapot, circa 1750, with floral swags, a European landscape and figures.
• Spectacular Meissen Hausmaler chained cover teapot in gilt and blue, circa 1745
• Beautiful painted scenic panels and detailed cartouches make this Meissen globular teapot, circa 1740-1770, truly magnificent.
• Painted in Kakiemon colors, this is an early teapot from Meissen, circa 1725-1730.
• Magnificent pedestal teapot by Meissen, circa 1750.
• Pure white glazed teapot, circa 1745

• A spectacular ten piece tea set, circa 1880, has a three dimensional floral design.
• This bulbous teapot with floral design is circa 1840-1880.
• Scenic figural designs adorns this factory second teapot by Meissen, circa 1860-1924.
• An Imari style teapot is circa 1880.
• Circa 1880, this pattern is known as vine or green ivy.

An example of the well known classic Meissen mark, the blue crossed swords, is visible on this Bird and Tree pattern Meissen teapot, circa 1730-1745.

The following websites provide additional information on Meissen marks, including imitations and copies.

• Antique Marks
• eBay Meissen Collector’s Guide
• My Granny’s Attic Antiques and Collectibles
• Amazon offers a price guide for Meissen antiques titled Meissen Porcelain Identification And Value Guide

Meissen teapots are spectacular examples of European porcelain to enjoy whether you are a collector or simply appreciate the fine detail and craftsmanship of fine antique porcelain.

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