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Lustheim Palace

Ernst Schneider Foundation's Collection of Meissen Porcelain

The Collection of Meissen Porcelain is not managed by the Bavarian Palace Administration, but is a branch of the Bavarian National Museum.

The first branch museum of the Bavarian National Museum was installed in the year 1971 in Lustheim Palace. It houses the world-famous collection of early Meissen porcelain donated by the industrialist Professor Ernst Schneider (1900-1977), which is as comprehensive and important as the porcelain collection in the Dresden Zwinger.

Over 2,000 exquisite items of porcelain are displayed in the setting of the electoral summer palace, creating a baroque ensemble of particular charm. Lustheim fulfils the dream of a "porcelain palace" that was never realized in the lifetime of Augustus the Strong, the founder of the Meissen Manufactory.

The collection provides a comprehensive overview of the products of the Meissen porcelain manufactory from its establishment in 1710 until the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

The period covers tableware and figures from the Böttger period, the famous chinoiseries of the porcelain painter Johann Gregorius Höroldt, the "Indian" decoration particularly admired by Augustus the Strong and masterpieces by the modeller Johann Joachim Kaendler, represented by lifelike animal figures.

The numerous pieces of porcelain from the coat of arms service of Count Sulkowski and the legendary swan service of Count Heinrich von Brühl are particular highlights, and give some idea of the grand scale on which banquets were held in the baroque era.

 

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© Text and pictures: Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Photos: Walter Haberland)