NEW YORK—For centuries rulers have presented beautiful pieces of art to cement alliances. Now both the ancient custom of gift giving and that of the making and presenting of porcelain receive academic treatment.
At the Bard Graduate Center, Meissen porcelain specialist Maureen Cassidy-Geiger has organized an exhibition and compiled a catalog analyzing the origins of European porcelain at the court of August the Strong in Germany. The porcelain gifts he distributed demonstrated the potency of his domain and strengthened his contacts with neighboring foreign monarchies.
August the Strong (1670-1733) ruled as Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and was, more than his political achievements, celebrated for his interest in the sciences, art, and culture. With his support the Meissen porcelain factory opened near Dresden in 1710 to produce the first hard-paste porcelain in the West, a commodity previously imported from the East—particularly China—for centuries.
As such, it soon became known as "white gold" and constituted a precious novelty that rapidly served and decorated princely tables throughout Europe, replacing the popular silver services.
The current New York exhibition, Fragile Diplomacy: Meissen Porcelain for European Courts, documents the early production of Meissen (1710s-1760s). The exhibit presents the importance of porcelain items as diplomatic and private gifts. Visitors can view and appreciate which individual pieces, garnitures and services were sent from Saxony to Austria, France, Italy, England, Denmark, Sweden and Russia, and for what purposes.
Even today the sumptuous display of objects—many of which are unique—evoke the fascination, elegance, and status such princely gifts enjoyed in the 18th century and how such valuable treasures were personalized with individual decorative patterns and monograms to please their recipients.
Tours are available at the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture 18 West 86th Street, New York, NY 10024, through February 10, 2008.
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