Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig

From Leipzig out into the World
Europe's First Porcelaine

Opening: Thursday, 29th April, 6:00pm

It was, in particular, Dutch merchants who brought East Asian porcelain to Europe (starting at the end of the 16th century). Augustus the Strong was the possessor of one of the most important collections of this porcelain. He insisted that a method be found to make porcelain from local raw materials.

In 1707 Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682–1719) managed to produce a particularly fine-grained, dense reddish brown stoneware, which was called “Jaspis porcelain“. By 15th January 1708 he had already developed this stoneware into a “translucent white porcelain” - the first European hard paste white porcelain.

Following its invention at Jungfernbastei, a bastion in Dresden, and production at Albrechtsburg castle in Meissen, after 1710 Meissen Porcelain became known throughout the world through the Leipzig trade fair. 

The exhibition provides a vivid impression of the fascination of Meissen porcelain to the visitor – however, it is not only about the birth of Meissen porcelain and the history of the porcelain factory over three centuries, but also about important porcelain artists, about shapes and decors, about competitors and forgeries, about radical changes and modifications from the early days up to the present.

A comprehensive programme comprising special events and presentations by renowned experts provides fascinating background information on the subjects of the exhibition. In addition, the LIPSIKUS Museum for children and young people offers numerous interesting and creative projects specifically for groups of pupils. A photo exhibition at the museum’s studio provides graphic impressions of the production of Meissen porcelain.

Here, photographs taken by Gerhard Weber at the porcelain factory in 1991 are on display.