A fascinating tale of mastery and craftsmanship, where the East has been a primary source of inspiration since the very beginning. A characteristic that can also be found in the latest, most refined and successful innovations.
A decoration rooted in the very history of its manufacture. Fortune Dragon is one of the latest lines to enrich the famous Meissen history . The dragon, in fact, is a historic emblem of the brand. The first was Ornate Dragon in 1730, inspired by Japanese culture: red with gold details, it was initially created exclusively for the table of the Saxon court. From 1858 it was produced for the public – in black, blue, yellow, green and purple – and from 1918 the original version was finally available to everyone.
On the left, the three Meissen dragons: Ornate Dragon, Ming-Dragon and the latest born: Fortune Dragon; on the right, Fortune Dragon on Vitruv shape by Meissen.
At the beginning of the 20th century, another dragon found its way onto Meissen porcelain: Ming-Dragon, one of the most iconic decorations. In this case, its creation was influenced by Chinese mythology, but designers of the time lacked concrete figurative models to guide the perfect representation of the details and their hidden symbolic meanings.
In 2022, the Fortune Dragon line was born to respectfully honor the most faithful oriental iconographic tradition. Created by Chinese designer Zhuoyu Hou , it brought a new aesthetic, conceptual, and symbolic vision: a true imperial dragon . It is a refined design that enriches Meissen's Vitruv line and a series dedicated to home décor. We asked Meissen to tell us all the details.
Fortune Dragon in mix and match tableware.
Let's start from the beginning: how did the history of the Meissen Manufactory begin?
Meissen was founded in 1710 by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, and is the oldest porcelain manufactory in Europe. The secret of producing this "white gold" was, in fact, known only in China at the time: it was only in 1708 that Johann Friedrich Böttger, together with the chemist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, managed to decipher the secret of its creation.
Elector Augustus's foresight and passion for style brought an ancient oriental excellence to the Old Continent, embracing it and transforming it into something unique. Production began at the Albrechtsburg in Meissen (from which it took its name) and in the 19th century moved to the Triebisch Valley, also in Meissen. Today, the Manufactory remains at its historic headquarters, and all the collections and the various lines are still handcrafted, every step of the way.
Fortune Dragon by Meissen.
We mentioned “History of Dragons”: what are the characteristics brought to Fortune Dragon by designer Zhuoyu Hou?
We are proud of our Three Dragons: Ornate, Ming, and Fortune Dragon. Unique and with an incomparable history. The latest addition, Fortune Dragon, designed by Zhuoyu Hou, differs significantly from its predecessors. The designer was born and raised in China and understands the ancient symbolism and mythology behind every little detail.
This dragon's unique and recognizable features are its tongue, a furred tail, and, most importantly, its five-clawed limbs (instead of the four previously illustrated). Join our decorative family, which is more than just embellishments: it's a symbol of cultural diversity and artistic heritage. Every detail, every curve and claw, reflects the passion for art that has driven Meissen for over three centuries.
Set up with the different components of the service with the Fortune Dragon decoration.
How many and what pieces is Fortune Dragon made up of?
The service features an exclusive Meissen Vitruv design, comprising charger, dinner, and soup plates, bowls, and cups for various uses: mugs, coffee, and cappuccino cups, with their saucers. Painted decorative vases in various sizes and elegant decorative plates featuring the same motif are also available.
On the left, a detail of the Fortune Dragon tableware; on the right, a vase with the new décor by designer Zhuoyu Hou.
What were the epochal changes on the table for Meissen?
Meissen has stood the test of time, offering the finest in tableware art. Since the 18th century, the art of serving hasn't changed much, except for the more informal nature of the service. Naturally, new shapes have emerged, such as mugs, but the formal canons of elegant tableware remain virtually unchanged. Over the past three centuries, we've created decorations and lines that are still available for sale today. Our archives include over 700.000 pieces, and the Meissen Manufactory Museum is open to the public at our headquarters, with an exhibition that is constantly updated to showcase our vast production.
Where can you buy Meissen in Italy?
Our collections are available for purchase at selected authorized retailers in Italy. For more information, please contact commerciale@stefaniabaldini.it
Fortune Dragon by Meissen, design Zhuoyu Hou.
On the cover, the refined Fortune Dragon décor – photo ©Meissen
