MEISSEN Icons
To this day, the MEISSEN manufactory holds a preeminent position among the world’s porcelain manufacturers. As Europe’s first porcelain manufactory, founded in 1710 by Augustus the Strong, MEISSEN has been setting standards in craftsmanship, technology, and design for over three centuries. Figurines, large-scale sculptures, tableware, and high-quality porcelain objects are considered trendsetting and continually push the boundaries of what is possible with porcelain.
This commitment to perfection finds its exclusive expression in the MEISSEN Icons. These pieces reinterpret significant works by the great Meissen masters as well as defining influences from more than 300 years of porcelain history, reflecting them in a contemporary context or creating them as new works in the spirit of the present. Over weeks and months, only the most experienced modelers, embossers, and painters devote themselves to the creation of these extraordinary works of art. Due to their exceptional complexity and the high standards of craftsmanship involved, the Meissen Icons are produced only in strictly limited editions.
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Crater Vase World of Meissen PatternsThe krater vase, first unveiled in 2018, combines artistic curiosity with masterful craftsmanship. Over 100 decorative motifs across 232 panels were executed by 28 painters over several months using a variety of techniques. Every detail demands the utmost precision and showcases the extraordinary expertise of the Meissen artists. The form is based on a 19th-century design by Ernst August Leuteritz and is inspired by the Attic cup krater of the 6th century B.C. The porcelain body matures for several months, the vase is traditionally thrown on a wheel, and each handle consists of 20 individual parts. The painting depicts a journey through three centuries of MEISSEN designs—from chinoiserie and Watteau scenes to Ming dragons and motifs of flowers, birds, and fruit. Motifs from “One Thousand and One Nights” blend harmoniously into the overall design. Handles with blue underglaze accents add striking highlights and complete this extraordinary work of art. This vase is an impressive example of the fusion of tradition, technique, and artistic creativity.
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Vase Queen's GambitThe “Queen’s Gambit” grotesque vase is a contemporary reinterpretation of a historic MEISSEN masterpiece from 1732. Designer Lena Hensel combines Johann Gottlieb Kirchner’s Baroque form with a dynamic, high-contrast decoration in which sculpture and painting merge into a single entity. A stark checkerboard pattern meets a vibrant floral tapestry, creating a dynamic interplay around the vase’s form.
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Vase The Amazon CollectionMEISSEN’s “The Amazon Collection” takes you on a fascinating journey through the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. On a large-format vase by artist Zhuoyu Hou, Meissen’s porcelain painters bring endangered animals and lush plants to life using vibrant colors and masterful techniques. Toucans, palm trees, and exotic flowers merge into a vibrant work of art that not only showcases beauty but also sends a powerful message about protecting the Amazon.
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Large Sculpture PeacockThe large-scale sculpture “Peacock,” crafted from Meissen porcelain, combines masterful craftsmanship with timeless elegance. Based on a model by Johann Joachim Kaendler, it captivates with its richly detailed, lifelike design and impressively fanned-out plumage. Finely modeled feathers and the bird’s proud posture make the figure an exclusive collector’s item. Whether as a decorative highlight or for lovers of fine porcelain figurines, this large sculpture showcases the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and exquisite design.
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Marilyn Monroe BustThe Marilyn Monroe bust, crafted from Meissen porcelain, was created over 15 months using traditional handcrafted techniques and is part of Michael Moebius’s famous Bubblegum series. The artwork, designed by sculptor Maximilian Hagstotz, is brought to life by a hand-blown bubblegum bubble from the Moser Glass Manufactory. Each bust is one-of-a-kind and combines masterful porcelain artistry with subtle, surprising elements.
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Swan Service table centerpieceThe Swan Service table centerpiece is a masterpiece of Baroque porcelain art: Kaendler and Eberlein created a visually stunning symphony of figures, forms, and colors inspired by the mythology of water, in which Glaucus, Galatea, sea nymphs, and dolphins merge into flowing compositions. For the first time since 1739, Meissen presents a new edition of the three-tiered table centerpiece, crafted over eight years by master artisans in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum.
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Jewelry ChestIn 1893, the Meissen manufactory’s “jewelry chest” was presented for the first time at the World’s Fair in Chicago. Created based on a design by Ludwig Sturm, it combines historical porcelain-making techniques with fine materials and classical motifs. Porcelain panels framed in precious wood and bronze on each side feature translucent pâte-sur-pâte decorations—exquisite slip paintings for which up to 30 layers of liquid porcelain paste are applied with a brush and then carved and chiseled into a relief. This elaborate technique had to be relearned by Meissen porcelain painters—specifically for this limited reissue—in order to faithfully reproduce the sophisticated, antique-style paintings. Gracefully crowning the chest is the Roman goddess Juno, a symbol of love and beauty, accompanied by her sacred animal, the peacock.
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Wall Painting "Flock of Birds"This colorful mural, “Bird Flock,” captivates viewers with its variety of painting techniques, combined with a stippled cloud background. On 72 hand-painted individual segments, 15 porcelain painters depict 72 birds from every continent in dynamic flight poses—a first for the manufactory. Measuring 240 cm in height and 540 cm in width, it impresses not only with its size but also with its rich detail.
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Dinner Service "B-Form"The “B-Form” dinner service combines masterful porcelain craftsmanship with regal elegance. Hand-painted designs in royal blue, delicate floral motifs, and gold-bronze accents lend each piece a magnificent luster—a luxurious service for stylish dining. Created by Ernst August Leuteritz between 1844 and 1855, the “B-Form” tableware became a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
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Dinner Service "Mystic Maison"The new MEISSEN Mystic Maison design embodies the perfect symbiosis of traditional craftsmanship and modernity. On the elegant Form N° 41, a truly opulent masterpiece unfolds, transporting the viewer into a fascinating world. Majestic mythical creatures such as the winged lion, intricate rocaille elements, and shells characterize this meticulously detailed design, in which ornamentation and sophistication merge into a luxurious whole.
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