Dresden Figurines: Cherished Throughout the Centuries

Dresden. The word is popularly associated as a state capital, a dog breed or a beverage brand name. Yet Dresden is actually white chinaware commonly heavily decorated and was initially originated in the city of Dresden, Germany.

There are several factories in the region of Dresden that produces fine quality antique Dresden figurines. Germany is highly known for these kinds of porcelain.

To trace back the history of its production, Poland King Augustus II founded the Royal Saxon Porcelain Manufactory in the year 1970. The passionate Dresden figurines collector established the company in Meissen. Meissen Factory shined throughout the period 1730-1750, having Johann Harold as their master enameler. After a period of hovering manufacture, the factory restarted, yet it never regained its former golden age.

During the 19th century, Meissen factory reissued a lot of its former porcelain antique forms and marked those as Dresden figurines that differentiated the issue from their earlier china production.

You can find a lot of instances of this greatly decorative antique Dresden figurines in urns, figurines, figural compotes, candlesticks and lamps, vases, chic table services, baskets, and vases. Hand-painted portraitures are also common with hard-paste floral to differentiate antique Dresden figurines among the avid collectors in the present day.

Among the hundreds of designs, the Crinoline group is the famous of all Dresden figurines. This style shows the different court life aspects such as playing different musical instruments, dancing and even displaying amorous scenes.

Many Crinoline Dresden figurines were manufactured following the original Dresden figurines that have blue crown marks commonly seen on dinnerware, yet numerous other companies manufacture the same forms, copying in Dresden styles. A lot also have attained degrees in artistry, which give them the opportunity to create similar styles of this kind of figurines, thus rivaling the original designer studios.

Among the famous Dresden figurines famous artists are Alka-Kunst Alboth & Kaiser, the Irish Dresden, Sitzendorf and Ernst Bohne & Sons. Unfortunately, because of the World War II bombings, many Dresden figurines as well as the produced history of the chinaware was destroyed.

Though many decorating studios were destroyed and the porcelain painting industry has never completely recovered, many of the Dresden figurines were preserved as private collections or can be found in antique stores all over the world.

Dresden figurines are still hailed as one of the most favorite decorations for homes, and widely used as give away during weddings, baptisms, birthdays and other events. They also remain as cherished collections for future generations to treasure and carry on.