Meissen Company:   In 1708, a German alchemist named Johann Friedrich Bottger developed the first non-Oriental formula for producing hard-paste porcelain.  Two years later,  the Meissen porcelain  factory opened its door near Dresden, Germany.    The secret hard paste formula was concealed from outsiders and even from many Meissen craftsmen for fear that the recipe would be used to establish rival factories.  Early Meissen included a red stoneware called jasperware and porcelain which imitated wildly popular Chinese styles.  Later Meissen ceramics were unique, recreating romantic landscapes or seaports where figures of European ancestry frolicked, danced, or simply strolled along with companions.   Tea sets and figurual groups were among the most popular of the age.   Marks did not start appearing on Meissen until 1724 and consisted of two crossed swords in addition to the initials K.P.M (Konigliche Porzellan Manufaktur) or M. P.M. (Meissner Porzellan Manufaktur). 

Craftsman:  This superbly modeled duck tureen highlights the meticulous craftsmanship of its maker.   During the mid 18th century, Meissen's primary "modellmeister" was Johann Joachim Kandler.  Kandler's sculptural repertoire included everything from elegant court ladies to Italian comedic figures to satirized monkeys, to life-like ducks, parakeets, and partridges.  His work also included more mundane but equally as beautiful dinnerware for European royalty.