5 Tips To Choose Quality Meissen Porcelain

Meissen represents quality German porcelain since the early 18th century. This comes in various figurines and figural groups. Although 18th century pieces are not easy to come by on the market, it’s easier to land on those from the 19th century and early 20th century. These come as figurines from reliable art collectors and galleries. Meissen figurines are collectible characters amusing to the eye in various forms including animals and mythological figures to complement the collector’s personality. Here’re 5 tips to choose quality Meissen porcelain.

Density and weight

It’s important to pay attention to the quality of modeling and decoration when choosing a Meissen piece. However, the density and weight of the item are of equal importance. Higher density and weight means higher quality materials and workmanship. The apparent heft is apparent for Meissen figurines and dinnerware. It’s no wonder that royalty and the upper class has been feasting off Meissen porcelain platters, plates, and other dinnerware for about 200 years.

Crossed swords mark

Genuine Meissen must have the mark of crossed swords. Subtle changes have been made to this mark over the years. Lower quality German manufacturers tried copying Meissen’s designs with some competitors making vague imitations of the mark. Therefore, it might be confusing to tell the genuine mark by a novice collector. However, many imitations of the crossed swords mark of genuine Meissen exist, there’s a significant difference in product quality. Inferior quality is enough to reveal that the item is not genuine Meissen.

Current condition and restoration

The current condition is very important when collecting porcelain especially for those pieces that come in multiples. A piece with a crack, chip, or significant wear will have its value drop compared to one in pristine condition. These ornamental wears have been on display in vitrines and cabinets with minimal handling. Therefore, seasoned collectors of Meissen porcelain figurines must recognize and accept the possibility that some of the articles might have been restored.

Do your homework

Before investing in Meissen porcelain, it pays to equip yourself with knowledge about these art pieces. This is because these pieces come in various designs, styles, and marks. Having this knowledge will make you make informed decisions before investing in Meissen figurines. Additionally, ensure to make a comparison of sources to ensure you find a store with pierces at fair prices. Luckily, you can do this easily and conveniently online.

Shop from a reliable collector

The internet is the first stop when looking forward to investing in Meissen figurines. However, you’re bound to get many results in the search engine. Keep in mind that not people who say they have genuine Meissen live up to their word. The trick to finding a quality and reliable art store is to
choose one with:

• Industry experience
• Nature protection
• Free expert advice
• Variety of products
• Quality customer service
• Site security of personal information

Overall

It’s a wonderful idea to invest in Meissen figurines for their aesthetic appeal and potential to grow in value as they become scarce in the market. However, it pays to use the ideas above to ensure you invest in quality pieces to give you good value for money.