One of the features of the Sarjeant Gallery collection that makes it unique in Aotearoa is that it extends back, not just to the 19th century but even further, and that includes historic international works. Early 19th and 20th century photography is an important focus, and there are also older European paintings, prints and decorative objects, including furniture and ceramics.
This fabulous piece of Meissen ware from Germany is a great example of the eclectic nature of the collection and is an interesting contrast to the Sarjeant’s large holdings of more recent glass and studio ceramics that reflect the dynamics of the local scene, including many works by potter Rick Rudd, who runs the nearby Quartz Museum. Te Uru in Titirangi, where I’ve most recently worked, also has a strong focus on ceramics, including hosting the annual Portage Ceramic Awards, so I’m pleased to have moved to another gallery that has a keen interest in a wide range of practices including craft.
- Andrew Clifford, for the My Choice Exhibition Series, April 2023

Johann Joachim Kander was the Chief molder for Meissen from 1733 - 1775, and was credited with inventing the modern ceramic figurine.
"Meissen porcelain or Meissen china is the first European hard-paste porcelain that was developed from 1708 by Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus. After his death that October, Johann Friedrich Böttger, continued his work and brought porcelain to the market. The production of porcelain at Meissen, near Dresden, started in 1710 and attracted artists and artisans to establish one of the most famous porcelain manufacturers, still in business today as Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH. Its signature logo, the crossed swords, was introduced in 1720 to protect its production; the mark of the crossed swords is one of the oldest trademarks in existence. It dominated the style of European porcelain until 1756.[1]" Meissen porcelain at Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Date: 2007. Accessed 28/02/13 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meissen_porcelain

Meissen was the first factory in Europe to produce hard-paste porcelain (like the Chinese) in 1708. The Meissen factory was therefore particularly pioneering and made many advances in both the manufacture and the decoration of porcelain.
Johann Joachim Kändler started at the Meissen factory in 1731 as a modeler. He quickly rose through the factory’s ranks and it was under his artistic direction and with his skill of design that Meissen continued to hold a leading position in Europe. The type of vases described as ‘Schneeballen’ or snow ball vases were of his design, first made in 1741. Each vase had hundreds of flower (‘snowballs’) which were hand modeled and individually applied. This style was also particularly astonishing given that firing porcelain was (and still is) incredibly difficult; as a material, it shrinks by at least ¼ during the firing process which often causes slumping or cracking. To fire the delicate decoration of the snowball vases without flaws showed real technical accomplishment.
Meissen set the standards by which other European porcelain factories would follow not only in the 18th century but well into the 19th century. With this prestige came a price tag and only the wealthiest could afford it.
- https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/118662 (accessed March 2023)