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‘Large’ rare Böttger Stoneware Pagoda

Meissen 1712
Model by Joachim Kretzschmar
10 cm high (= 4 1/4 Saxon inches)

Description


"Red stoneware pagodas are among the greatest rarities" (Rückert 1966 p. 161). This statement by Rainer Rückert is supported by the records and the remaining Meissen inventories, which in fact show very few examples. It is striking, that the early stoneware pagodas are called "large pagodas" (4 1/4 Saxon inches = 10 cm), while the "small" ones (4 Saxon inches = 9 cm) are completely missing. This is also proven by the production list (Boltz 167/168 2000 p. 65 no. 25), where only four red large stoneware pagodas and one black lacquered one, whose further fate is unknown, are noted (as well as 6 large and six small pagodas made of Böttger porcelain). 

The pagodas in Böttger stoneware are among the earliest figures of the Meissen Manufactory. Their date of origin can be determined quite well. The starting point is the inventory of the moulds of the Meissen factory of 1711 published by Claus Boltz in 1982 (KFS 96 / 1982 p. 7-40). The inventory is dated on the 3rd of August of 1711 and contains all the moulds available at the time and the products made of them. The pagoda is missing in this list. It can therefore not have been made before the month of August in 1711. On the other hand, stoneware production in Meissen ended around the beginning of 1713, after Böttger had finally succeeded to produce white porcelain. This very quickly displaced the stoneware products and the demand for them. We can thus date the pagoda to 1712. It also fits in with this that its modeller, Johann J. Kretzschmar (Pietsch 2010 no. 13), returned to Dresden in 1712 on Permoser's behalf to help him with the construction works of the Zwinger (Rückert 1966 p. 83).

The Pagodas (which embodies "Budai Ho-Shang", the God of Happiness and Contentment) were a popular model in Meissen – from 1712 in Böttger stoneware and later in Böttger porcelain. In early versions, the base plate is missing. The pagoda squats on the floor, the right one on the raised knee, the left one hanging down. The folded cloak leaves the shoulder, chest and belly uncovered. The laughing face with the wide-open mouth and pierced ears served as a smoke outlet. The smoke marks on the inside of our Pagoda also show that it had been used. The Pagodas of the Zwinger Porcelain Collection in Dresden have similar smoke marks (communication from Julia Weber, Director of the Dresden Porcelain Collection, January 2021). Our pagoda is finely modelled, especially shown in the teeth, hands and feet. The figure consists of two to three moulds whose seams are clearly visible, as Gutter has shown precisely in his catalogue (2008 p. 64 fig. 12, 13). The fine stoneware is very smooth, as can be seen well in the enlargement, without the "inclusions and pinholes" which Malcolm Gutter (in KFS 114 / 2001 p. 3-23) has "scrutinised".

Download the complete expertise (PDF)
 

Literature


Pietsch, Ulrich: Triumph der blauen Schwerter. Ausstellungskatalog Leipzig 2010

Boltz, Claus: Formen der Böttgersteinzeugs im Jahre 1711. in KFS 96 / 1982, S. 7 – 41

Rückert, Rainer: Meissener Porzellan 1710–1810. München 1966

Gutter, Malcom D.: A Princely Pursuit. The Malcolm D. Gutter Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain.. San Francisco 2018

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„Großer“ seltener Böttgersteinzeug Pagoda
„Großer“ seltener Böttgersteinzeug Pagoda
„Großer“ seltener Böttgersteinzeug Pagoda
„Großer“ seltener Böttgersteinzeug Pagoda
  • Description

    "Red stoneware pagodas are among the greatest rarities" (Rückert 1966 p. 161). This statement by Rainer Rückert is supported by the records and the remaining Meissen inventories, which in fact show very few examples. It is striking, that the early stoneware pagodas are called "large pagodas" (4 1/4 Saxon inches = 10 cm), while the "small" ones (4 Saxon inches = 9 cm) are completely missing. This is also proven by the production list (Boltz 167/168 2000 p. 65 no. 25), where only four red large stoneware pagodas and one black lacquered one, whose further fate is unknown, are noted (as well as 6 large and six small pagodas made of Böttger porcelain). 

    The pagodas in Böttger stoneware are among the earliest figures of the Meissen Manufactory. Their date of origin can be determined quite well. The starting point is the inventory of the moulds of the Meissen factory of 1711 published by Claus Boltz in 1982 (KFS 96 / 1982 p. 7-40). The inventory is dated on the 3rd of August of 1711 and contains all the moulds available at the time and the products made of them. The pagoda is missing in this list. It can therefore not have been made before the month of August in 1711. On the other hand, stoneware production in Meissen ended around the beginning of 1713, after Böttger had finally succeeded to produce white porcelain. This very quickly displaced the stoneware products and the demand for them. We can thus date the pagoda to 1712. It also fits in with this that its modeller, Johann J. Kretzschmar (Pietsch 2010 no. 13), returned to Dresden in 1712 on Permoser's behalf to help him with the construction works of the Zwinger (Rückert 1966 p. 83).

    The Pagodas (which embodies "Budai Ho-Shang", the God of Happiness and Contentment) were a popular model in Meissen – from 1712 in Böttger stoneware and later in Böttger porcelain. In early versions, the base plate is missing. The pagoda squats on the floor, the right one on the raised knee, the left one hanging down. The folded cloak leaves the shoulder, chest and belly uncovered. The laughing face with the wide-open mouth and pierced ears served as a smoke outlet. The smoke marks on the inside of our Pagoda also show that it had been used. The Pagodas of the Zwinger Porcelain Collection in Dresden have similar smoke marks (communication from Julia Weber, Director of the Dresden Porcelain Collection, January 2021). Our pagoda is finely modelled, especially shown in the teeth, hands and feet. The figure consists of two to three moulds whose seams are clearly visible, as Gutter has shown precisely in his catalogue (2008 p. 64 fig. 12, 13). The fine stoneware is very smooth, as can be seen well in the enlargement, without the "inclusions and pinholes" which Malcolm Gutter (in KFS 114 / 2001 p. 3-23) has "scrutinised".

    Download the complete expertise (PDF)
     

  • Literature

    Pietsch, Ulrich: Triumph der blauen Schwerter. Ausstellungskatalog Leipzig 2010

    Boltz, Claus: Formen der Böttgersteinzeugs im Jahre 1711. in KFS 96 / 1982, S. 7 – 41

    Rückert, Rainer: Meissener Porzellan 1710–1810. München 1966

    Gutter, Malcom D.: A Princely Pursuit. The Malcolm D. Gutter Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain.. San Francisco 2018

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