martedì 16 marzo 2021

The charming ‘Dresden Figurines’.





The production of the Meissen porcelain, the first European hard-paste porcelain, also known as Dresden porcelain, dates back to 1708, thanks to the collaboration of Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus (1651-1708) mathematician, physicist and inventor and of Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1719) chemist and alchemist.
They were the exploration trips to the Orient which brought the precious and ancient Chinese porcelains to the Old Continent that tempted and spurred scholars to try to obtain this material which was then new to us. The XIXth century had just begun when Böttger believed he had solved the ancient dream of the alchemists, that is to say that he had found the way to transform raw materials into gold. When the ruler of Saxony (Dresden was the capital of the kingdom) became aware of his project, he invited Böttger to his Court to show him what he was capable of, but the experiment failed. At the same time, Tschirnhaus, who had begun to make experiments with glass, had the opportunity to meet Böttger and to establish a collaborative relationship with him. After Tschirnhaus’ death, his partner continued the business: the first laboratory and the "Royal Porcelain Factory" were established in 1710 inside the Albrechtsburg castle owned by the ruler of Meissen and the first manufactures were bowls, jugs and figurines that had as subjects those belonging to the animal world. But it was with the late XIXth century, just in the middle of the Victorian period, that the Meissen figurines became truly prestigious, that is when ladies, often with their partners or gentlemen, and skits of aristocratic or rural life began to be produced.





Above all, the statuettes depicting ladies with dresses trimmed with fluffy laces, which were made in the Dresden manufacturing plant not far from Meissen, were sought after: this is why this lace took the name of "Dresden lace". In the process of bringing these intricate figures to life, lace or tulle was truly used: it was dipped in a compound made of clay mixed with water - the ratio was adequate when the consistency of melted ice cream was reached. 'Baked' in the oven, the lace steamed leaving intact the sometimes very fragile porcelain coating, so much so that in some modern-day statuettes it has not been perfectly preserved intact.
I am literally fascinated by these ‘ladies’: I’m going to show you some of them, produced during the Victorian age, and then you, dear readers of mine, will tell me whether they are authentic masterpieces or not.













In the hope to have entertained you with delight, I'm sending much love to each of you, dear readers and friends!

See you soon 💕













Le affascinanti statuine di Dresda.


immagine 1


Data 1708 l’inizio della produzione della porcellana di Meissen, conosciuta anche come porcellana di Dresda, la prima porcellana dura realizzata in Europagrazie alla collaborazione di Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus (1651-1708) matematico, fisico ed inventore e dJohann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1719) chimico ed alchimista.
Furono i viaggi di esplorazione in Oriente, che portarono nel Vecchio continente le preziose ed antiche porcellane cinesi - la cui produzione risaliva al 1200 - che spronarono gli studiosi tentare di ricavare questo materiale per noi allora nuovo.
Era appena cominciato il XVIII° secolo quando Böttger credette di aver risolto l'antico sogno degli alchimisti, ossia di aver trovato il modo di trasformare materiali grezzi in oro. Quando il regnante di Sassonia (Dresda ne era la capitale) venne a conoscenza di questo suo progetto, invitò Böttger presso la sua Corte perché mostrasse di cosa era capace, ma l’esperimento non riuscì. Contemporaneamente, Tschirnhaus, che aveva iniziato ad effettuare esperimenti con il vetro, ebbe l'occasione di conoscere Böttger e di stringere con lui un rapporto di collaborazione. Alla morte di Tschirnhaus, il suo socio continuò l'attività: il primo laboratorio e la "Real Fabbrica di Porcellane" furono istituiti nel 1710 all’interno del castello di Albrechtsburg di proprietà del regnante di Meissen e le prime manifatture furono ciotole, brocche e statuine che avevano come soggetti quelli facenti parte del mondo animale. Ma fu con il tardo XIX° secoloossia in pieno periodo vittoriano, che le statuine di Meissen divennero davvero prestigiose, ovvero da quando cominciarono a venir prodotte dame, cavalieri e scenette di vita aristocratica o di vita agreste.


- immagine 2


- immagine 3


Erano ricercate soprattutto le statuine raffiguranti dame con gli abiti guarniti di vaporosi pizzi che venivano realizzate nello stabilimento manifatturiero di Dresda non lontano da Meissen: ecco perché questo pizzo assunse il nome di "Merletto di Dresda". Nel procedimento tramite cui dar vita a queste figure intricate veniva realmente utilizzato il pizzo o il tulle: esso veniva immerso in un composto fatto di argilla mescolato con acqua - il rapporto era adeguato quando veniva raggiunta la consistenza del gelato sciolto. 'Cotto' in forno, il pizzo vaporizzava lasciando intatto il rivestimento in porcellana a volte fragilissimo, tanto che in alcune statuine dei giorni nostri non si è conservato perfettamente intatto.
Da queste 'damine' io sono letteralmente affascinata: ve ne mostro alcune prodotte durante il periodo vittoriano e poi mi direte voi, miei cari lettori, se non si tratta di autentici capolavori. 


- immagine 4


- immagine 5


- immagine 6


- immagine 7


- immagine 8


- immagine 9



Nella speranza di avervi intrattenuti piacevolmente auguro ogni bene a ciascuno di voi e vi do appuntamento a presto 💕








Aggiungo una piccola parentesi riguardo al mio libro: chi fosse interessato ad acquistarlo ora lo trova in vendita presso: 



       

MGS PRESS       
                                                                                                              
IBS.IT   


UNILIBRO.IT                                                     





28 commenti:

  1. Le porcellane sono magnifiche, preziose per la storia alle spalle e un piacere immenso per i nostri occhi, una compagnia silenziosa che in realtà è melodia gioiosa per la nostra anima
    La damina che suona il clavicembalo(spero di non sbagliare) è un amore
    Lieto pomeriggio,
    Franca

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Franca
      mia cara e dolcissima amica, come sempre le tue parole delicate mi colmano il cuore di gioia!
      Sì, penso anche io che la damina in azzurro suoni il clavicembalo e forse, tra tutte, splendide per un dettaglio o un altro, è quella che preferisco.
      Che sia un pomeriggio sereno anche per te, grazie per la delicatezza delle tue parole che davvero accarezzano il cuore ❥

      Elimina
  2. Such gorgeous samples you have chosen to share with us. Always find any history of ceramics very interesting. Certainly this was raised to an art form, something that really isn't done anymore except as a tiny bit of embellishment. Thanks for the tour and beautiful samples!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Sandi Magle
      it is I who thank you both for your visit and for your so beautiful words of appreciation, aren't these true works of art?
      Enjoy the remainder of your week, dearest friend of mine,
      ღ be blessed ღ

      Elimina
  3. Dany, the figurines you have showcased are delectable. Oh, the frilly petticoats, the tantalising dresses, the metre upon metre of exquisite lace....each element is glorious. Truly, each lady is a joy to behold

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Kim
      you said it, each lady is a joy to behold, I do agree with you Dearie!
      With utmost gratitude,
      I'm sending much love across the many miles ♥♡♥

      Elimina
  4. Oh I am so excited you are back, you always bring us such interesting things to learn about that we did not know. I don't think I have seen such gorgeous figurines as these, the details are just amazing and so delicate, I love how they show the styles of the times!!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Conniecrafter
      I also can hardly believe that I'm back, I've wished and dreamt it so, so many times, that I almost still think it not to be true!
      I'm sincerely glad, Dearie, that you loved these masterpieces, they really seem to tell us all the story of that age, isn't it?
      With utmost gratitude,
      I'm wishing you a most wonderful Sunday of Spring ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  5. Those are all so lovely! As to whether or not they are original and intact, i am no expert. They all look beautiful to me.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. messymimi
      I'm always so glad to have you here with enjoyment, Dearest Friend of mine, I'm truly thankful to you!
      Sending blessings on your Sunday,
      I'm coming and visit you as soon as I can ಌ❀ಌ

      Elimina
  6. These are exquisite, Dany. And I so appreciate the history and background with it. They are beyond beautiful.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Jeanie
      I'm sincerely happy to read your so beautiful words of appreciation for these little works of art, made so many years ago, by such skilled and passionate hands, and I have to admit that I myself the more I look at them, the more I feel entranced and see always new, little details...
      With sincere thankfulness,
      •♥•♥• I'm sending hugs and more hugs to you •♥•♥•

      Elimina
  7. Dear Daniela...It brought all smile on my face to see you back in blog spot. I used to visit you on and off and missed you and your posts. Happy to learn you have published a book. Congrat's to you and what a wonderful thing to happen. My side all is well and my son got married last month. Lot of love and hugs to you. Sujatha:)))

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Chrystal Grandeur
      My Dearest One, what a joy you're giving to me with this visit of yours! Sujatha, so you're still on the web, HURRAY, I wasn't able to find you when I come back and I thought you had left your website like so many friend I remeber dearly.
      I'm wishing much happyness to your son and sending much love to you ❀≼♥≽❀
      thank you from the deep of my heart, sweetest lady ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  8. Cara Dany, dire che queste damine in ceramica siano splendide...è riduttivo! Incantevoli e che grazia nei drappeggi che sembrano realmente leggeri ed impalpabili. Sono tutte eccezionalmente belle ma mi ha colpito in particolare quella color azzurro, intenta al clavicembalo.
    Grazie per la favolosa "carrellata" di immagini
    Ti saluto con affetto e buon fine settimana
    Susanna

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Susanna
      carissima, come sempre è una gioia accoglierti e leggere le tue dolcissime parole!
      Come ho scritto sopra a Franca anche io sono stata subito conquistata dalla damina in azzurro al clavicembalo, unica anche per i colori scelti nella decorazione.
      ⊰♥⊱ Ringraziandoti ancora ti abbraccio con tanto affetto e ti auguro una serena Pasqua ⊰♥⊱

      Elimina
  9. Hello my dearest, Daniella. What a joy and surprise to have you back!!! I have missed your beautiful post, my friend. I know it's been a while but you have used your time wisely.. So proud of your achievements.

    Hugs,


    Janet
    Rosemary & Thyme

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Janet
      I also have missed you so much, Dearest one!
      Thank you for your so beautiful words, you're truly a goodhearted friend.
      ༺❀༻ Sending blessings of joy on your Easter ༺❀༻

      Elimina
  10. Thank you for your visit and for your wishes to my son. Kind of you. Happy Easter ad lots of 💕. Sujatha.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Sujatha,
      Dearest one, it is I who thank you, your friendship is far precious to me!
      ღ❀ღ Sending you too much love and heartfelt blessings on your Easter ღ❀ღ

      Elimina
  11. WHat a lovely collection. Those are so beautiful. Wishing you a beautiful weekend and wonderful Easter Blessing.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Anne Robinson
      you're so heartily welcome, thank you for your so beautiful words of appreciation!
      May your Easter too be blessed with Joy, Love and Health,
      ✿⋰Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ⋱✿ With sincere thankfulness ✿⋰Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ⋱✿

      Elimina
  12. These were so lovely; thank you for all your research. I have 2 very ratty figurines I inherited from my late mother-in-law. They are still so pretty!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Kathy
      I thank you for your visit, new friend of mine, but I'm truly sorry for not to be able to reciprocate!
      Thank you for your nice words, as well, and, with your figurines, I'm sure you're in good company!
      ♡ஐ♡ Enjoy the remainder of this Spring weekend ♡ஐ♡

      Elimina
  13. I have always loved beautiful Dresden figurines. What a lovely thing to collect. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Kathleen
      Dear friend, in the name of the love I have for everything vintage and old, I think it to be wonderful to collect objects recalling the past, and these figurines are really far precious, as you write!
      Sending blessings of Joy on your Sunday ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  14. Oh I have always liked those Dresden figurines because of their lace on the dresses. I have one I bought a t a sale however her dress has missing lace in small spot.
    A friend of mine had one worth lots more than mine.
    They are gorgeous and delicate

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Curtains in My Tree
      I feel so blessed by your presence here, I thought you weren't blogging anymore given since I came back last Spring I don't receive any update from your Blog, I wonder why...
      You're right, sweet friend, they're as gorgeous as they're delicate, theyr laces are so fragile, it's almost impossible to preserve them intact for many years, ant to buy them in perfect conditions if bought by an antiquities shop.
      I have a few Capodimonte figurines, which are almost new but reproducting ancient ladies and gentlemen, but it's hard even to take away dust from them, I have to be so attentive and careful!

      Thanking you so, so much for your beautiful visit,
      I wish you a most wonderful remainder of your week ✿⊱╮

      Elimina

I THANK YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS, SO PRECIOUS TO ME.