Parts of a Service, Known as the ‘Swan Service’

Meissener Porzellan Manufaktur, c. 1739

These pieces are part of one of the most famous services produced by the Meissen Porcelain Factory. It was ordered by Count Heinrich von Brühl, a statesman and the factory’s director. Scenes of swans occur on almost every one of the more than 2200 parts. On display are a dish, a sauceboat, and the base of the plat-de-ménage (centrepiece). The large basket decorated with figures that stood on it has been lost.

  • Artwork typedish, eating & drinking utensils
  • Object numberBK-1965-105
  • Dimensionsheight 7.7 cm x width 36.5 cm x length 51.5 cm

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Parts of a Service, Known as the ‘Swan Service’

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-1965-105

  • Description

    Schaal van het Zwanenservies, van beschilderd porselein. De schaal heeft de vorm van een langgerekte schelp met een geschulpte rand. Het oppervlak is in reliëf versierd met uitlopende golven en beschilderd met Kakiemon strooibloemen. De schaal is gemerkt.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    factory mark

Creation

  • Creation

    • porcelain company: Meissener Porzellan Manufaktur, Meissen
    • porseleinmodelleur: Johann Joachim Kändler, Meissen

  • Dating

    c. 1739

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Material and technique

  • Dimensions

    height 7.7 cm x width 36.5 cm x length 51.5 cm

This work is about

  • Person

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

    • Vibeke Wolbey, 'Shells and the Decorative Arts', Apollo 120 (1984), afb. 11.
    • Jaarverslag van het Rijksmuseum (1965), p. 54, afb. p. 53.

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  • Parts of a Service, Known as the ‘Swan Service’
  • Parts of a Service, Known as the ‘Swan Service’