Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH 63 –→ Table of Contents mal or delicate carving. Initially, Meissen’s only option was apparently to compensate for the inferior quality of its lithophanes by selling them at lower prices. Rüdiger van Dick also deals with this topic in his article “Lithophanien der Meissner Porzellanmanufaktur”: “Was it due to the initially lower quality compared with the products from competitors? Meissen actually had a very good reputation among manufacturers with respect to the quality of its body. Could this be the reason why the company was reluctant to identify these products as its own? […] For whatever reason, Meissen seems to have deliberately refrained from using its factory mark.”111 In the same article, van Dick makes the following observations, with photos of the corresponding pieces: “Meissen had considerable difficulties in the early days of its [lithophane] production. The lithophane shown here, No. 10, Russische Post (Russian Post), has a slightly brownish-yellow tone. Another plaque, No. 139, Kinder am Weingeleite (Children at Vine Trellis), has a grayish tone; furthermore, this lithophane also still has a very coarse-grained body with a rough surface (Figs. 5 and 6). The difference in quality will be illustrated here on the basis of two examples: Figures 7 and 8 show a section of Figure 6, magnified by 1.8. The rough surface of the body can be seen very clearly in Figure 7. Figure 8 offers a very clear view of some areas of deeper relief, which are carved with sharp transitions here. For comparison, see Figures 9 and 10 (section of Fig. 11 magnified by 1.8). The surface of these pieces is significantly finer and smoother. There is also a smoother transition between areas of higher and deeper relief. The quality of the porcelain body may play an important role for experts, but a layperson who is simply viewing the lithophane image in transmitted light will be more concerned with the effect that is produced and offered. In this respect, Meissen’s products are not inferior to those of other manufacturers. The thickness of the porcelain also varies greatly. There are considerable differences here. However, Meissen began solving its quality problems in 1847.”112 Two types of backside numbering are known: the hand-incised number and the bold, impressed number (hollow number, outline). The latter type appeared as solitary numbers of up to six millimeters in height and was used only by Meissen, although not prior to 1834. After 1876, the manufactory of Schierholz Plaue (Thuringia, Germany) also began using bold, impressed numbers on its larger plaques, but then always in combination with a factory mark (PPM or sickle mark). On the Meissen plaques, an additional small, incised or impressed number identifies the molder. Sometimes, the plaque number marked on the back of the lithophane was also added to the front lower edge as an incised mark. The uppercase letters K and KK that can also sometimes be found on the front lower edge as impressed marks (blind-stamped) have yet to be identified. These marks may be associated with special orders from certain clients. In his article “Lithophanien der Meissner Porzellanmanufaktur,” R. van Dick makes reference to other unusual markings. The plaque Sr. Maj. König von Preußen, klein (His Majesty King of Prussia, small) has an incised number 30 on the back with an incised letter H in front of it and an incised letter M behind it. Van Dick theorizes that these letters were the mark used by the head of the design department, Carl Gottfried Habenicht (H for Habenicht, M for modelleur).113 Monograms from other artists and craftsmen have also been identified, such as SJ for the wax carver Johann Gottlieb Schiebel. ■■ 1828/29 2 Object: round lithophane plaque Dimensions: diameter 18.6 cm (7 5⁄16 in.) Material: biscuit, white, body slightly rough and granular Motif: Johannes, rund, groß (John, round, large) Markings: none (Meissen No. 16) Source: Collection “S” Wuppertal Information: some of the early lithophanes have no markings whatsoever → Fig. p. 64 1 Lithophane stand · height adjustable from 24.5 cm (9 5⁄8 in.) · lithophane Meissen 6e Zwei Kühe in Landschaft (Two Cows in Landscape) · 8.0 × 11.4 cm (3 1⁄8 × 4 ½ in.) · FE 1828 (Collection “S” Wuppertal)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTMyNjA1