Limited Masterworks Lidded Vase Lion Knob Oriental Flower Motifs

Vases of this type were primarily produced in China during the Kangxi period at the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries. By 1721, the collection of Augustus the Strong already included an extensive array of East Asian porcelains. Starting in 1725, such select pieces were transported to Meissen for the furnishing of the planned "Japanese Palace," with the purpose of copying their shapes and decorations. Very early Meissen porcelains therefore clearly reference their Asian roots. Soon, however, the artistic and technical qualities of the Meissen masters surpassed their models. With this large covered vase-entirely decorated in blue underglaze painting, featuring a seated Foo lion as the lid knob-we pay tribute to the exceptional achievements of Asian porcelain art and emphasize the high standards of quality upheld by the Meissen manufactory artisans.

If one had to choose "the" color for porcelain, it would be "bleu ordinaire." The Saxon king was willing to pay as much as 1,000 talers to discover this magical blue-only then would his wish to produce porcelain modeled after Asian examples be fulfilled. When the Meissen alchemists began experimenting with cobalt, the formula was soon discovered. From 1725 onward, Asian treasures of this kind were sent from the royal residences to Meissen for reproduction. Before long, these pieces surpassed the quality of their originals and themselves became ideals of European porcelain art.

This vase impresses with its diverse floral decorations, hand-painted in cobalt blue. In total, the limited-edition vase features six different underglaze designs inspired by East Asian painting.