About this item:

This lovely two-tier Victorian porcelain cake stand will make a lovely addition to any serving table. Designed to be an eye catching work of art, it sports all the features one would expect such as a white biscuit base with swirling relief decorations, beautifully hand-painted delicate floral designs and gold-gilt trimmings.

It was at the height of Britain’s Victorian era that the fashionable afternoon  tea drinking ritual reached its culmination in the homes of the middle and upper classes; a time when British influence was felt not just by her colonies but even mainland Europe. Therefor it is by no surprise that the frivolous, indulgent and at times, excessive ornamentation often associated with this era (either by direct inspiration or simultaneous evolution of the era’s international sensibilities) manifested in material culture of the time, perfectly exemplified by this cake stand manufactured by Meissen.

This cake stand was manufactured between 1814-1824; proof of this may be found on the underside of the base in the form of two interlaced L’s (the company’s trademark) and two xx’s (denoting the year batches according to the company’s production line). These features were made at the time of production and are virtually impossible to replicate or tamper with; please see our Guide to Buying Antique Porcelain for more info.

At the time of this piece’s production Carl Wilhelm von Oppel was named the new director of the manufactory. He initiated a number of necessary changes on artistic, technical, and operational levels, however, despite the work of the manufactory being characterised as technically perfect at this time, most pieces were based on reproductions of art historical models and previous eras with little originality and creativity happening. In fact, this cake stand was produced in the style of the then-popular Neo-Rococo, having roots firmly planted in the opulent and elegant styles of the 1700s. The hand painted floral schemes, the raised scrolling designs and the overall curved and scalloped edges heightened in gold are all exemplary of this.

*Condition report available upon request*

About Meissen:

German hard-paste porcelain was known mostly for its quality and finesse, among other qualities. The Crossed Swords signature was taken from the coat of arms of the Electorate of Saxony in 1722, making it one of the oldest continuously used trademarks in the world.

The manufactory developed the first heat-resistant under- and on-glaze paints, which allowed Meissen to create undreamed-of colourful decors. For more information about this spectacular company please visit: www.meissen.com