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Autumn Salt Cellar. Modeled by Johann Gottfried Becker for the Höchst Porcelain Manufactory, 1755. Hard-paste porcelain; 15 cm (5 7/8 in.). Busch-Reisinger Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. Graves Terwilliger, BR69.231. Photo: Photographic Services © President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Melpomene, 1744. Modeled by Johann Joachim Kändler and
manufactured by Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain;
16.5 x 21.6 cm (6 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.). Busch-Reisinger Museum, Gift of Mr.
and Mrs. Edward Pflueger, BR59.147. Photo: Photographic Services ©
President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Putto as Hercules. Modeled by Johann Joachim Kändler for the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, c. 1750. Hard-paste porcelain; 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in.). Busch-Reisinger Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Pflueger, BR61.18. Photo: Photographic Services © President and Fellows of Harvard College.
Isabella and Octavio, from the Italian commedia dell'arte. Modeled by Franz Anton Bustelli. Manufactured by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, c. 1760. H: 19.8 cm (7 13/16 in.) and 18.8 cm (7 3/8 in.). Harvard University Art Museums, Busch-Reisinger Museum, Gift of Charles Kuhn in memory of Minnie S. Kuhn, BR33.14 and BR33.15. Photo: Photographic Services © President and Fellows of Harvard College.
A Taste of Power: 18th-Century German Porcelain for the Table
March 29 to June 30, 2008
In the 18th century, porcelain was not just an art to amuse and delight the eye: it was also a potent source of prestige and a demonstration of power. The Meissen factory, under the protection of Saxonys Augustus the Strong, in 1710 became the first European producer of porcelain, and soon every minor duchy throughout Europe angled to repeat Meissens triumph. This installation of five works, drawn from the Busch-Reisinger Museums permanent collection, examines the use of porcelain figurines as intriguing table decorations at elaborate baroque court festivals and banquets. It features objects from Meissen, Nymphenburg, and Höchst manufactories and encourages a fresh experience of the works by suggesting their original context and function.
Organized by Heather Hess, 20062008 Stefan Engelhorn Curatorial Fellow.
For more information please visit: The Busch-Reisinger Museum
-Joanne Molina
