Meissen Fountain

The Meissen Fountain is a historic decorative fountain made of Meissen porcelain. It is "the largest single Meissen porcelain figure group in existence."[1] It is held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, United Kingdom.

History

The Meissen Fountain was designed from 1745 to 1757.[1] It was modelled by Johann Joachim Kändler for Count Heinrich von Brühl.[2] The baroque design of the table fountain was based on the Neptune Fountain in the gardens of the count's summer palace in Dresden. It shows Amphitrite and Neptune drawn by hippocampi.[3] It was displayed by von Brühl at his state dinners.[1] For example, Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, who served as the British ambassador in Dresden, mentions it in his writings.[3][4] Between 1774 and 1815, some parts were added.[1]

The fountain was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, United Kingdom, in 1870.[1] Under the leadership of Reino Leifkes,[4] it was restored in 2014, in collaboration with the Royal College of Art.[1][5] As the fountain was broken in pieces, 3D modelling was used to rebuild it.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Ramakers, Hanneke; Jordan, Fi (Autumn 2014). "The Meissen Fountain: re-presenting porcelain on a grand scale". Conservation Journal. 62. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Meissen Fountain Restoration Project". RCA Website. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Arkell, Roland (28 January 2014). "18th century Meissen revived via 21st century technology". Antiques Trade Gazette. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b Brown, Steve (2014). "The Meissen Fountain Project: Restoration in the age of digital reproduction" (PDF). Making Futures Journal. 3. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Meissen Fountain Remodelled and Restored by RCA Ceramics & Glass Staff". Royal College of Art. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2016.


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