The Gallery of Meissen Animals

King Augustus the Strong’s animal menagerie served not an artistic purpose, but further to demonstrate the superiority of Saxon porcellain wares over the Far East, and affirm the King’s elevated standing among the princes of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. In the field of porcelain production, the supreme artistic and technical achievement of the 18th century was arguably the collection of animals created in answer to the King’s commission. Many of the sculptures were realized from acquisitions of exotic birds and animals made by August the Strong on his expeditions to Africa and elsewhere. Essays in this volume explore the historical background of the animals, their relevance to Baroque art and the role they eventually played in the Japanese Palace, accompanied by a wealth of images. The manner in which the commission stretched the capacities of the then only twenty-year old Meissen manufactory is illuminated and a complete inventory, listed by names of animals, also provided.