Pair 18th C. Meissen Porcelain Covered Tureens w/ 19th C. French Ormolu Mounts

Product Description

A Pair of 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Marcolini Period Covered Tureens with 19th Century French Ormolu Mounts. These tureens show the combination of iconic French and German porcelain trends. Produced by Meissen under the direction of Marcolini, these tureens come from a period when porcelain production was at its peak. Count Camillo Marcolini became the director of the Meissen Porcelain Factory in 1774. During his tenure domestic German porcelain flourished in popularity when political strife restricted imports from neighboring European countries. Porcelains from this era remain some of the finest and most iconic in history.

This set of mounted tureens is decorated with hand-painted scenes of townspeople gathering to socialize. Atop the tureen is a seated putto, indicating the joyful leisure present on the tourine’s frieze. Surrounding the porcelain is a gilt bronze rim, handles, and stand. The porcelain bodies are mounted on ormolu plinths with four lion paws.

The porcelain elements—primarily the painting on the frieze—are distinctly German, while the ormolu elements are French. Utilizing the surface of the porcelain to depict the hum and haw of village people is typical of German painting, which has culturally taken a more democratic approach to artistic provocations. The French elements, on the other hand, are far more ostentatious and opulent. The flashy ormolu mount and lion’s feet solidify the French imperial design sensibilities, while the subtle painted social commentary continues the history of German sociological inquiry.
Germany, circa: 1780
France, circa: 1800’s

Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
Diameter: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)