| The Teacup in a Tempest |
Albrechtsburg Castle, perched on the hill high above Meissen on the banks of
the Elbe, is regarded as the first castle to be used a royal residence in the German
speaking world. It was built between 1472 and 1525, but its origin goes back to
the year 929 when Heinrich I created a fortified military camp. In the Middle
Ages, the Wettin dynasties of Albrecht and Ernst, the wealthiest princes in the
empire thanks to the silver mined in the mountains of Saxony, became the
Margraves of Meissen. At the height of their powers, while jointly ruling, the
brothers, built a new stately residence with room for two court households.
the Elbe, is regarded as the first castle to be used a royal residence in the German
speaking world. It was built between 1472 and 1525, but its origin goes back to
the year 929 when Heinrich I created a fortified military camp. In the Middle
Ages, the Wettin dynasties of Albrecht and Ernst, the wealthiest princes in the
empire thanks to the silver mined in the mountains of Saxony, became the
Margraves of Meissen. At the height of their powers, while jointly ruling, the
brothers, built a new stately residence with room for two court households.
It was not given the name Albrechtsburg until 1676. Who would have known that it would one day
become known as the world's most famous china shop? For about three centuries, porcelain has been
manufactured in Meissen. First produced in China in the eighth or ninth century A.D., it wasn't until
the beginning of the 18th century that two alchemists in Dresden under the patronage of August der
Starke (Augustus the Strong) uncovered the secret of porcelain, mixing a very white clay called
kaolin with alabaster powder.
become known as the world's most famous china shop? For about three centuries, porcelain has been
manufactured in Meissen. First produced in China in the eighth or ninth century A.D., it wasn't until
the beginning of the 18th century that two alchemists in Dresden under the patronage of August der
Starke (Augustus the Strong) uncovered the secret of porcelain, mixing a very white clay called
kaolin with alabaster powder.
In 1707, a laboratory was established for Böttger, and a year later he achieved a formula for
porcelain. Soon, production began in the Dresden laboratories, and the first pieces went on sale at the
Leipzig Fair in 1710. The first wares were red and are known as Böttger stoneware. Augustus was
already building a royal porcelain factory in Meissen, to which the operation was transferred in June
of that year. Since the old Albrechtsburg castle was impractical for living in due to political
circumstances and living conditions, August had the first porcelain factory set up there. The factory
occupied all of the castle’s rooms. By 1713, Meissen was producing the desired white porcelain and
colored wares were soon developed. Böttger had to run the Meissen factory from his guarded
confinement in Dresden. The King finally released Böttger, who was still young, in 1714, but he died
young only 5 years later, perhaps a result of years of breathing deadly fumes in the laboratory.
porcelain. Soon, production began in the Dresden laboratories, and the first pieces went on sale at the
Leipzig Fair in 1710. The first wares were red and are known as Böttger stoneware. Augustus was
already building a royal porcelain factory in Meissen, to which the operation was transferred in June
of that year. Since the old Albrechtsburg castle was impractical for living in due to political
circumstances and living conditions, August had the first porcelain factory set up there. The factory
occupied all of the castle’s rooms. By 1713, Meissen was producing the desired white porcelain and
colored wares were soon developed. Böttger had to run the Meissen factory from his guarded
confinement in Dresden. The King finally released Böttger, who was still young, in 1714, but he died
young only 5 years later, perhaps a result of years of breathing deadly fumes in the laboratory.
Two other figures are equally as important in the early history of Meissen: color chemist and painter
Johann Gregorius Höroldt, 1696-1775, and sculptor Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1706-1775. Höroldt
developed the rich colors and adapted the motifs of Asian porcelain to European tastes, and Kaendler
created many of Meissen's best-known shapes and figurines.
Johann Gregorius Höroldt, 1696-1775, and sculptor Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1706-1775. Höroldt
developed the rich colors and adapted the motifs of Asian porcelain to European tastes, and Kaendler
created many of Meissen's best-known shapes and figurines.
The Albrechtsburg where Augustus the Strong set up the porcelain factory, eventually suffered
serious damage from its hard use. In 1863, the factory was closed. The castle buildings were
repaired, and between 1875-1885 several murals depicting Saxon history were added. Since 1881,
Albrechtsburg Castle has been open to the public as a museum. Meissen survived the war, but the
occupying Russians afterwards looted the factory thoroughly and took all of the stock which they
didn't manage to break to Moscow. Some of it has been bought back ( or maybe a better term is
ransomed) at a dear price. Even August the Strong´s table silver and other royal objects were taken
by the Red Army.
serious damage from its hard use. In 1863, the factory was closed. The castle buildings were
repaired, and between 1875-1885 several murals depicting Saxon history were added. Since 1881,
Albrechtsburg Castle has been open to the public as a museum. Meissen survived the war, but the
occupying Russians afterwards looted the factory thoroughly and took all of the stock which they
didn't manage to break to Moscow. Some of it has been bought back ( or maybe a better term is
ransomed) at a dear price. Even August the Strong´s table silver and other royal objects were taken
by the Red Army.
In 1700, 18 year old Johann Friedrich Böttger, who had a reputation as an able
alchemist, was arrested in Wittenberg and brought to Dresden by order of the wishful
King, who hoped to manufacture gold from basic materials. Böttger was kept prisoner
in Dresden and forced to make the King's dream come true. At one point, in 1703, the
unlucky Böttger tried to escape to Prague, but was captured and brought back to
Dresden to continue his fruitless experiments.
alchemist, was arrested in Wittenberg and brought to Dresden by order of the wishful
King, who hoped to manufacture gold from basic materials. Böttger was kept prisoner
in Dresden and forced to make the King's dream come true. At one point, in 1703, the
unlucky Böttger tried to escape to Prague, but was captured and brought back to
Dresden to continue his fruitless experiments.
In 1707/08, white, delicate, European hard paste porcelain was born. The earliest
Meissen used Oriental styling, but soon produced European court scenes, satirical
pieces and other elaborate designs. The fame of its most recognizable mark, the
crossed-swords used as early as 1728, spread with its reputation for fine
workmanship and artistic beauty. The Meissen Royal Manufactory in Saxony has
weathered Europe's most calamitous wars, economic depressions and various
governments. Since the 18th century, the factory has had its own education and
training facility to assure succession in the craft, including very special techniques.
Meissen used Oriental styling, but soon produced European court scenes, satirical
pieces and other elaborate designs. The fame of its most recognizable mark, the
crossed-swords used as early as 1728, spread with its reputation for fine
workmanship and artistic beauty. The Meissen Royal Manufactory in Saxony has
weathered Europe's most calamitous wars, economic depressions and various
governments. Since the 18th century, the factory has had its own education and
training facility to assure succession in the craft, including very special techniques.
Augustus II the Strong, 1670-1733, reigned from 1697 to 1733 and was an unsuccessful but
ambitious absolutist. Although he had German roots as the son of Johann George of Saxony, he was
elected King of Poland in 1697, having converted to Catholicism to better his chances. He had the
dual role of Elector of Saxony from 1694. He allied himself with Czar Peter and this pulled Poland
into the Northern War.
ambitious absolutist. Although he had German roots as the son of Johann George of Saxony, he was
elected King of Poland in 1697, having converted to Catholicism to better his chances. He had the
dual role of Elector of Saxony from 1694. He allied himself with Czar Peter and this pulled Poland
into the Northern War.
As a result, Sweden once again attacked Poland, deposing Augustus who abdicated
after Swedish armies entered Saxony. Ultimately, Czar Peter defeated the Swedes and
Augustus regained the crown.He was called "the Strong" for his brute physical strength
(which he demonstrated by breaking iron horseshoes with his hands) and for his
numerous offspring...he is alleged by some to have sired 365 or 382 children. Perhaps
he should be called Augustus the Busy. In any case, Augustus wanted great riches.
after Swedish armies entered Saxony. Ultimately, Czar Peter defeated the Swedes and
Augustus regained the crown.He was called "the Strong" for his brute physical strength
(which he demonstrated by breaking iron horseshoes with his hands) and for his
numerous offspring...he is alleged by some to have sired 365 or 382 children. Perhaps
he should be called Augustus the Busy. In any case, Augustus wanted great riches.
Dresden scientist, Ehrenfried Walter von Tschirnhaus, had meanwhile been trying to discover the
secret of porcelain for at least twenty years, and had made but little progress. Recognizing Böttger's
genius, he suggested that he join him in his research, and in 1705, Böttger, still under guard, began
his work with Tschirnhaus.
secret of porcelain for at least twenty years, and had made but little progress. Recognizing Böttger's
genius, he suggested that he join him in his research, and in 1705, Böttger, still under guard, began
his work with Tschirnhaus.