"The Invention of Porcelain". Original title 2-piece mounted. Three-sided curved, surrounded by relief sculpted rocailles, ascending rock base with full plastic composition. Spectacular, scenic depiction of the seated Johann Friedrich Böttger in elegant Rococo attire, with a purple, gold-adorned skirt over a floral vest and white shirt, as well as lilac-colored pants, contemplating the small porcelain vase in his right hand. Kneeling beside him, on the open kiln, is a blacksmith, fanning the fire with a bellows. At his feet lie a blacksmith's tongs or standing golden mortar and pestle, as well as elixir bottles. To the left, a sitting putto is painting a porcelain plate with onion pattern decor, near a large double-handled vase with flower decor and a Meissen view table standing. To the right, a sitting putto acts as a bossier. Next to him, standing on a wooden stool, is a bust of the Princess Marie Zephirine de Bourbon, with lying tools. As a crowning piece, an allegorical female figure hovers above the clouds, surrounded by putti with flower garlands, laurel wreaths, or trumpets. Polychrome painting with rich gold staffage. Either by Paul Helmig, 1859. Model no. O 168. Sword mark. Total height 46 cm. Magnificently executed, glorifying representation of the history of Meissen and European hard porcelain production. At the same time, it is a homage to the alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1719), whose work as the inventor of European hard porcelain was particularly celebrated in the 19th century. Not to be underestimated is the contribution of the physicist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus (1651-1708), who already undertook practical experiments in porcelain production in 1694 and was particularly involved in the development of European hard porcelain through his self-developed kiln mirror. See Jedding, European Porcelain, Vol. I, p. II/18 and II/172. A large rare allegorical porcelain figure composition, titled "The Invention of Porcelain". Crossed swords mark. Meissen. 2nd half of the 19th century.
