Baroque porcelain

In the mid-eighteenth century there were three European hard-paste porcelain factories of note. The first was established in 1710 at Meissen. The second was founded in Vienna eight years later by Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, a Dutchman who was given a warrant by the Austrian emperor Charles VI. Du Paquier lured two key members of the Meissen team to Vienna, including the kiln master who knew the precise combination of ingredients required to make porcelain. Du Paquier's factory was known for rich decoration of landscapes, hunting scenes, classical mythology, and naturalistic flowers. Sadly, this was not enough, and when his imperial privilege expired in 1744, the bankrupt Du Paquier was forced to sell his factory to the state. It continued to make porcelain until it closed in 1864.

During the factory's heyday a Tuscan diplomat named Marchese Carlo Ginori visited Vienna. He was so impressed by what he saw at Du Paquier that he resolved to open a similar factory in Italy. This he did in 1737 at his estate at Doccia, where he produced works that show a considerable influence of the Viennese factory. The firm continues under the name Richard Ginori.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

An exhibition at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna explores the relationship between the Austrian and Italian factories. Entitled Baroque Luxury Porcelain, it is on view until January 29. The curators are Andreina d'Agliano, Claudia Lehner-Jobst, and Dimitrios Zikos, who have all contributed to the accompanying book, edited by Johann Kraftner. It has been published in German and English editions and may be ordered on the Web site www.liechtensteinmuseum.at./en/pages.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

COPYRIGHT 2006 Brant Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning