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When scientist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and alchemist
Johann Friedrich Böttger created the first porcelain outside the
Chinese empire in 1708 in Dresden, they did so at the behest of
Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony and a major benefactor
of the arts in the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations of the
time. Two years later though, production of the much-coveted
delicate wares outgrew the Dresden facilities by the Elbe river
and moved to the local Margrave’s castle of Albrechtsburg in
Meissen, some 30 kilometres downstream.
Three hundred years later, Meissen porcelain still accounts for
much of Germany’s reputation in the world of fine china. Now as
then, Meissen produces three major lines of design: Fine Dining,
with all imaginable manner of tableware; Fine Living and Home
Art, including vases, sculptures, chandeliers and wall
decorations, and yes, Fine Jewellery and Accessories - for the
most avant-garde of fashion designs.
No longer housed in the hilltop castle, today’s Manufaktur
Meissen sits on the banks of a small tributary to the Elbe,
though this year, Albrechtsburg castle is reliving part of its
former role. Until October 31, a mise-en-scène exhibition called
‘White Gold’ combines traditional exhibits, areas for the senses
and multimedia interactive displays. Exclusively in honour of
the 300th anniversary celebrations, a selection of some of the
earliest pieces of Meissen porcelain is returning to its former
home, transforming this grand castle yet again into a porcelain
palace.
Down the hill, today’s production facility will open its doors
to the public on October 23 for all to see that each piece of
fine Meissen porcelain is still a unique, handmade object. Aside
from the manufactory’s 800 employees hard at work, visitors will
see new contemporary creations that acknowledge today’s trends
in international dining—new designs for pasta dishes, for
example, or sushi plates, or today’s equivalent of the hot
chocolate pots and cups of the 18th century to enjoy an espresso
or cappuccino. What they won’t get to see is the Meissen colour
lab, where the formulas are kept locked up for the 10,000
different hues of paint needed to create the firm’s trademark
designs.
All of Meissen, town and manufactury, celebrates 2010 in style,
and one event not to miss is surely the September 26 pageant of
some 100 town burghers in period costume, 45 of them on
horseback. It will recapture grand historic meetings, but also
honour the miners who harvested the caolin clay used to produce
the renowned china. Adaptations of classic Meissen designs
paraded through town will deliver the proper visual context.
If a day visit doesn’t satisfy your curiosity, the Saxon Elbland
tourist organization offers a series of porcelain-themed travel
packages that includes an ‘Active’ tour along the scenic Elbe
Cycle Route with stops in Meissen and Dresden. Starting at €199
per person, double occupancy, the arrangement includes three
nights in a 4-star hotel, a one-day bike rental, a meal served
on Meissen china in a gourmet restaurant, admission to the
Meissen manufactory and Albrechtsburg castle and a complimentary
piece of Meissen china as a souvenir.
For more information on these packages, on Meissen’s anniversary
events and the town itself, please visit
www.elbland.de. For a free copy of the brochures and general
travel information on Germany, please visit
www.germany.travel.
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