Meissen Porcelain History and Factory Marks

Meissen German Porcelain Marks Plate

Meissen porcelain started in Dresden, Germany in 1709, under the direction of Johann Friedrich Bottger, with the sponsorship of Augustus the Strong, (Augustas Rex), the elector of Saxony. The first pieces of Meissen porcelain were actually red stoneware, known as Böttger stoneware, and first sold at the Leipzig Easter Fair in 1710.

In June of that same year a royal porcelain factory in Meissen (commissioned by Augustas), was completed, and the operation was transferred from Dresden to Meissen. Bottger continued to sell the red stoneware from the Meissen Manufactury until he perfected his formula for hard-paste white porcelain in 1713, at which time all Meissen production switched to the new porcelain formula.

Bottger’s new formula and manufacturing process produced such fine and delicate porcelain that he is credited with being the father of all European porcelain.

Continually added to, and updated, the Meissen Manufactury still produces fine porcelain pieces to this day.

Meissen Factory Marks

Meissen used a variety of factory and maker’s marks from its inception. Their famous crossed swords didn’t become the official Meissen mark until 1722-23.

Since 1722-23, and to this day, the crossed-swords mark has always been a hand-painted blue under-glaze mark. This mark has officially undergone several variations, as shown below;

Note: These crossed-swords marks are some of the most imitated and faked marks ever used. So while they can be indicators in the authentication process, they are not guarantees of authenticity.

Meissen porcelain cobalt blue factory marks

Here is a printable reference file of Meissen Factory and Dating Marks

Those neat and concise illustrations, (above), were created for publication. The actual hand-painted Meissen marks found on their porcelain pieces would look more like the images below.

Cautionary Note: Meissen used a system of marking pieces that were either sold undecorated or deemed inferior, by making “slashes” through or beside the crossed swords – as shown below.

one slash – sold undecorated from 1740 through 1938
two slashes – tableware deemed of unsuitable quality from 1852 through 1870
three slashes – items of brack quality, (contained firing faults), from 1852 through 1870
four slashes – considered lowest quality, from 1852 through 1870

This is an actual Meissen quality mark found on a tea service that was listed for $4995.00.

Seller described the set as exquisite Meissen quality, and the photos did show that the set was gorgeous to an untrained eye, but even so, it was not up to Meissen’s standards, and there was no mention that the factory mark showed that Meissen deemed the set to be unsuitable for tableware.

There were at least two other “official” Meissen marks used between 1920 and 1930.

Meissen AR Monogram

Meissen porcelain factory marks

The AR monogram was a special mark reserved for objects used by the court of Elector August the Strong, (Augustas Rex), founder of the Meissen factory.

Although most documentation dates the AR use only up to 1730, it was also added to pieces produced for the court of his son, August III, who succeeded him in 1733. Occasionally the mark was added to gifts produced for royal visitors.

Meissen AF Monogram

early Meissen mark Frederick Augustus III
The AF monogram was used exclusively for porcelains designed for Prince Elector Frederick Augustas III

This monogram mark is a reliable date stamp for Meissen pieces because it was only used in 1733-1734.
*Although shown here in black, this marking was also a cobalt blue under-glaze mark.

M.P.M. – Meissner Porzellan Manufaktur, (Meissen Porcelain Manufactury). Used in 1722

K.P.F. – Königliche Porzellan Fabrique, (Royal Porcelain Fabricator). Used in 1722

K.P.M. – Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur, (Royal Porcelain Manufactury). Used after 1722

Prior to 1720, there were many other artists, throwers, formers, and maker’s marks used on Meissen porcelains, (and also on Bottgers Stoneware), and many pieces carried multiple marks, in conjunction with the official blue under-glazed swords.

• Image Source: arts-antique.com/Meissen_Marks.htm

See a detailed history of Meissen Porcelain, factory marks, date marks, artists, molders, throwers, and maker’s marks, by Jim Harren: Meissen Porcelain: German Porcelain – Volume 1.

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