Meissen Artisan Series: An analysis of the 'Potter' Figure

Abstract

This research paper presents an analysis of a porcelain potter figurine, which was modeled by Johann Joachim Kandler and produced as a part of the artisan series in the 18th century at Meissen Porcelain Factory in Germany. The analysis concerns the history, production technique, and technical features of the figurine. When the historical process is investigated, it can be seen that it is uncommon for those artisans, designers, and artists who work with ceramic material to depict themselves using their main material, clay. Thus, the potter themself being the subject of the matter makes this figurine both special and important in regards to the history of art. Nineteen of Kandler's porcelain 'potter' figurines produced at Meissen as a part of the artisan series have been unearthed, as a result of a thorough inspection via websites on the Internet. The figurines have been found on websites of antique dealers and auction houses. These figurines, which attract high prices from buyers at auction, carry the qualifications of works of art and are valued as antiques. It can be observed that the figurines analyzed in this research have been consistently differentiated by making changes to the color of the hat, vest, trousers, and hair etc. of the figurine, despite them having nearly the same shape.