Meissen Four Elements Clock
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An incredibly rare and beautiful Meissen porcelain clock of exceptional condition and quality
Key Features
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- This incredible mantel clock and stand by Meissen features the Four Elements
- Stunning Rococo flourishes and intricate detailing distinguish this rare timepiece
- The pendulum mechanism was made by the renowned German Black Forest firm of Lenzkirch
- The backplate bears an inscription by the clockmaker Aloys Seidel
- The clock and stand bear full Meissen marks, and the mechanism bears the Lenzkirch trademark
- Circa 1875-78; 22 1/2" high
Item Details
- Height:
22 1/2" Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
Germany/Prussia
This ornate Meissen porcelain mantel pendulum clock showcases the company's mastery of allegorical themes with its striking depiction of the Four Elements. Wind bears a bird and winged helmet; Fire holds a dragon and torch; Earth embraces a cornucopia and badger; and Water holds a dolphin, pearls and coral. Crafted in the elaborate Rococo style, this clock boasts expressive rocaille flourishes, flowers and hand-painted gilt accents. An almost identical clock is featured in Meissen: Collector's Catalogue by Laurence Mitchell. Bears the marks of Meissen and clockmakers Lenzkirch and Aloys Seidel.
Both the clock and stand feature the Meissen crossed swords mark in blue underglaze, as well as incised mark "2127" and "78." The mechanism bears the Lenzkirch trademark used between 1875 and 1878. A backplate is further inscribed "No. 593 / Aloys Seidel / Meissen."
Circa 1875-78
22 1/2" high
Both the clock and stand feature the Meissen crossed swords mark in blue underglaze, as well as incised mark "2127" and "78." The mechanism bears the Lenzkirch trademark used between 1875 and 1878. A backplate is further inscribed "No. 593 / Aloys Seidel / Meissen."
Circa 1875-78
22 1/2" high
Meissen: The Allure of Continental Porcelain
Early in the 18th century, Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony, arrested alchemist Johann Friedrich Bottger and imprisoned him in the town of Meissen; his mission, to discover the secret formula for hard paste porcelain. In 1708 Bottger unlocked the mystery and found the key to both porcelain and his freedom, and by 1718 factories began springing up across Europe fostering an atmosphere of ferocious competition.
By 1720, the Meissen factory was producing wares that eclipsed even the finest Chinese porcelain. They dominated the European market and influenced porcelain production around the world.
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