Dresden Porcelain

Mention Dresden, Germany, and great architecture comes to mind. It is also famous as the first home of European porcelain makers. In the early 1700`s fine white hard porcelain was produced in Dresden, marking the end of the Asian monopoly on fine china. Whether your pieces have the two blue crossed swords of Meissen, or the more contemporary crown with the name Dresden, these marks signify quality pottery. Figures, dinner ware and tableware from Dresden speak of upper class quality.

Antique Dresden porcelain may actually be marked Meissen. It will have two crossed swords in blue, as well. Earliest Dresden porcelain was made from white clay high in Kaolin. The pieces were pure, almost blue white. Later we move to vibrantly colored vases, candle sticks and figurines of this same hard white porcelain.

The Dresden name, enclosed in a wreath is sometimes seen on semi-porcelain pieces. Semi porcelain is harder, white stoneware china. It lacks the translucency of porcelain, but still is attractive as collectibles. Decorative plates are made from this material and make wonderful pieces to display. It is important to know your china and pottery marks or to have a reference to guide you.

Dresden pottery, china and porcelain are wonderful collector pieces. If you have any that has been damaged, you can easily restore it`s value with affordable porcelain repair. You may find Dresden dinner ware, as well as figurines, and other decorative pottery items. Cybis Porcelain has beautiful Angelic and animal figurines, for instance. Ceramic collectors seek Dresden porcelain pieces to their collections. Dresden, Germany grew this industry for centuries. Antique and more contemporary pieces round out a china collection.