First European Porcelain

Since the beginning of the 13th century, porcelain had been imported by European royalty from China at an enormous cost. In the early 18th century endeavours were made in Meissen to unlock the secret of porcelain manufacturing. Those involved included Johann Friedrich Böttger, Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, the Freiburg mining official Gottfried Pabst von Ohain and other mining and iron and steel experts.

The orders were given by Augustus II "the Strong", the Electoral Prince of Saxony and the King of Poland.

The hard work ended successfully. In 1708, white porcelain was manufactured for the first time in Europe under the leadership of Johann Friedrich Böttger. Europe's first porcelain had been born.

23.01.1710
The Court of Saxony announces the invention of porcelain and the founding of a porcelain manufactory in a "highest decree" published in Latin, French, German and Dutch.
 
06.06.1710
The Meissen porcelain manufactory is built at the Albrechtsburg castle in Meissen

Post- 1722
Use of the "crossed swords" trademark

since 1739
"Onion pattern" (Zwiebelmuster) decoration continually on sale

1861 to 1864
The manufactory moves to a new site in the Meissen borough of Triebischtal, where it still resides.

1912-1915/1916
The porcelain museum is built / the “Exhibition Hall” is opened

since 26.06.1991
The company is called Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH (Shareholder is the Free State of Saxony)

1991/92
Extensive renovation of the porcelain museum

1996
300th anniversary of the birthday of Johann Gregorius Höroldt

01.06.1998
"Friends of Meissen Porcelain" – the club of the company Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH is founded

2000
First organ in the world with a sounding stop and organ pipes made out of Meissen Porcelain®

22.06.2005
Extension to the porcelain museum is opened

2006
300th anniversary of the birthday of Johann Joachim Kaendler

2007
3rd centenary of the red-brown stoneware Böttgersteinzeug®

2008
3rd centenary of the discovery of European hard porcelain


More information: www.meissen.de