Pair of Hand-Painted Dresden Porcelain Espresso Cups from the 1950s

Pair of hand-painted Dresden porcelain demitasse cups, made in the 1950s

Saucer: 13.5 cm

The expression Dresden porcelain refers to a refined decorative tradition that developed in and around Dresden, in the nearby Saxon region, and flourished particularly between the 19th and early 20th centuries. Rather than referring to a single manufactory, the term encompasses various workshops and studios specializing in the decoration of porcelain, often made on pieces produced by other German factories.

Dresden production is recognizable for its richly ornamental, Rococo-inspired style, featuring delicate hand-painted flowers, gallant scenes, gilded motifs, and figures modeled with great attention to detail. Polychrome floral decorations, raised applications, and elaborate gold borders are also characteristic.

Among the best-known manufactories and studios are Helena Wolfsohn, Carl Thieme of Potschappel, and Richard Klemm, who helped make Dresden porcelain famous among the European aristocracy and bourgeoisie.

These porcelains are still appreciated today for the quality of their painting and the richness of their decoration, testifying to a tradition in which 18th-century elegance was reinterpreted through the historicist taste of the 19th century.