DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1397#0281
PLATE 86.
VASES FROM THE BERLIN ROYAL CHINA MANUFACTORY.
/^VN"B of the great vases exhibited in the Berlin China court will be found in Plate 96. The
^^^ selection which we have here given consists of a beautiful Urbino-shaped vase, about
eighteen inches high, with snake handles, and representing a mermaid floating in the sea, with
a very delicate effect of light on a grey body. The two smaller subjects ■ were ornamented with
excellently painted figures and landscapes. This manufactory, an historical notice of which will
be found accompanying Plate 96, is intended as a model establishment for the cultivation of
art in connection with this particular branch of industry. At the same time, it is expected to
yield sufficient profit to cover, as far as possible, the interest of the money expended on it by
the State. Now this we regard as a fundamental error. The manufactory of Sevres sets a
good example in this respect, the object being there to advance the progress of the manufacture
and the state of art at every cost, so as to serve as a model to other establishments, against
which it does not pretend to enter as a competitor in the general markets.
This should be distinctly the purpose of a government establishment. It should act as a
guide and instructor in the formation of a cultivated taste, and in the furtherance of new and
doubtful processes. When it enters the lists as a trader, its dignity is lost, and it commits an
injustice to private enterprise, which has not the means of successfully contending with its
large resources and established prestige. The Berlin Eoyal Manufactory now works seven kilns,
and employs about 300 persons; the total produce during late years averaging half a million
of articles, amounting in value to 150,000 Prussian dollars, or about £22,000. The superintendence
and management is intrusted to Director Kolbe, under whom are employed Dr. Eisner, as
chemist; M. Mantel, as master modeller; and M. Looschen, as head painter.
Among other good pieces exhibited by this manufactory, was a series of subjects in the
Eenaissance style, a kind of improved Capo di Monte ware, consisting of nude figures, tritons,
sea-nymphs, &c, well composed, but characterized by a style of colouring and a quasi-iridescent
effect, which was not altogether agreeable. The shapes and painting of all the more important
pieces were good and correct; but there was a marked repetition of the same shape, differently
ornamented and coloured, evincing a lack of invention; and although the whole collection was
certainly striking and satisfactory in the main, it was deficient in the regal splendour of Sevres,
and the brilliant colours and varied forms of the English manufactures.
The Berlin biscuit-ware, which has always been admired by collectors, lacks, to our taste,
the warmth of our own Parian, and, in common with most continental productions in this
material, is characterized by a cold, bluish tinge, which we cannot but think detracts from its
pleasing appearance ; though some of the subjects executed in what is now termed " marble
porcelain," from models by Rauch, Kiss, Mehnert, and other eminent sculptors, were of great
merit, and very moderate in price.
M. Arnoux, in his Report on Ceramic Manufactures at Paris, 1855, speaks of a group of
manufactories at Luxembourg, in Holland; Keramis, in Belgium; Vaudrevange, Manheim, and
Metlach, in Prussia; and Sarreguemines, on the French frontier, as having united their interests
in a sort of joint-stock company, which, under the names of Villeroy & Boch, and Boch Brothers,
have obtained possession of almost all the German markets. Neither of these firms, however,
showed in 1862; but Prussia had six contributors of earthenware and porcelain; amongst whom
the works of M. Carl Tielsch, at Altwasser, Breslau, are conducted on a large scale, and produce
good ordinary ware,—rather backward, it is true, in design and taste. Some good adaptations
of old models, game, and fruit dishes, were exhibited by Schierholz & Sons, of Plaue (Schwarzburg-
Sondershausen), and Conta & Bohme, of Posneck (Saxe-Coburg Gotka).
The beautiful china-ware for chemical and photographic purposes, produced by the Royal
Berlin Manufactory, was remarkable for its excellence and cheapness ; but we cannot but think
the trade in this specialite should be left open to private enterprise.
VASES FROM THE BERLIN ROYAL CHINA MANUFACTORY.
/^VN"B of the great vases exhibited in the Berlin China court will be found in Plate 96. The
^^^ selection which we have here given consists of a beautiful Urbino-shaped vase, about
eighteen inches high, with snake handles, and representing a mermaid floating in the sea, with
a very delicate effect of light on a grey body. The two smaller subjects ■ were ornamented with
excellently painted figures and landscapes. This manufactory, an historical notice of which will
be found accompanying Plate 96, is intended as a model establishment for the cultivation of
art in connection with this particular branch of industry. At the same time, it is expected to
yield sufficient profit to cover, as far as possible, the interest of the money expended on it by
the State. Now this we regard as a fundamental error. The manufactory of Sevres sets a
good example in this respect, the object being there to advance the progress of the manufacture
and the state of art at every cost, so as to serve as a model to other establishments, against
which it does not pretend to enter as a competitor in the general markets.
This should be distinctly the purpose of a government establishment. It should act as a
guide and instructor in the formation of a cultivated taste, and in the furtherance of new and
doubtful processes. When it enters the lists as a trader, its dignity is lost, and it commits an
injustice to private enterprise, which has not the means of successfully contending with its
large resources and established prestige. The Berlin Eoyal Manufactory now works seven kilns,
and employs about 300 persons; the total produce during late years averaging half a million
of articles, amounting in value to 150,000 Prussian dollars, or about £22,000. The superintendence
and management is intrusted to Director Kolbe, under whom are employed Dr. Eisner, as
chemist; M. Mantel, as master modeller; and M. Looschen, as head painter.
Among other good pieces exhibited by this manufactory, was a series of subjects in the
Eenaissance style, a kind of improved Capo di Monte ware, consisting of nude figures, tritons,
sea-nymphs, &c, well composed, but characterized by a style of colouring and a quasi-iridescent
effect, which was not altogether agreeable. The shapes and painting of all the more important
pieces were good and correct; but there was a marked repetition of the same shape, differently
ornamented and coloured, evincing a lack of invention; and although the whole collection was
certainly striking and satisfactory in the main, it was deficient in the regal splendour of Sevres,
and the brilliant colours and varied forms of the English manufactures.
The Berlin biscuit-ware, which has always been admired by collectors, lacks, to our taste,
the warmth of our own Parian, and, in common with most continental productions in this
material, is characterized by a cold, bluish tinge, which we cannot but think detracts from its
pleasing appearance ; though some of the subjects executed in what is now termed " marble
porcelain," from models by Rauch, Kiss, Mehnert, and other eminent sculptors, were of great
merit, and very moderate in price.
M. Arnoux, in his Report on Ceramic Manufactures at Paris, 1855, speaks of a group of
manufactories at Luxembourg, in Holland; Keramis, in Belgium; Vaudrevange, Manheim, and
Metlach, in Prussia; and Sarreguemines, on the French frontier, as having united their interests
in a sort of joint-stock company, which, under the names of Villeroy & Boch, and Boch Brothers,
have obtained possession of almost all the German markets. Neither of these firms, however,
showed in 1862; but Prussia had six contributors of earthenware and porcelain; amongst whom
the works of M. Carl Tielsch, at Altwasser, Breslau, are conducted on a large scale, and produce
good ordinary ware,—rather backward, it is true, in design and taste. Some good adaptations
of old models, game, and fruit dishes, were exhibited by Schierholz & Sons, of Plaue (Schwarzburg-
Sondershausen), and Conta & Bohme, of Posneck (Saxe-Coburg Gotka).
The beautiful china-ware for chemical and photographic purposes, produced by the Royal
Berlin Manufactory, was remarkable for its excellence and cheapness ; but we cannot but think
the trade in this specialite should be left open to private enterprise.