Onion pattern
Onion pattern is called a cobalt blue underglaze decor on porcelain . It is the most successful blue decoration in porcelain history.
origin
The onion pattern was developed based on Far Eastern models from 1730. One of the oldest models is the blue and white porcelain from the early Ming period around 1420. It was one of the first to be produced by the Meissen porcelain factory . Around 1740 it was taken over by various faience factories , but not until 1768 by other porcelain manufacturers - first by KPM Berlin . The designation "onion pattern" replaced the previously common designations as "ordinaire Mahlerey" and "ordinair blue" around 1850. This decor was not very common in the 18th century and was hardly produced between 1790 and 1830. Since 1860, it has been good manners among wealthy German citizens to have an onion pattern service. Dowry lists from this period recommend a minimum of seven dozen cups and plates .
The onion pattern does not actually represent onions, but pomegranates and peaches - symbols of fertility and longevity. The Meißner onion pattern was based on a slightly differently structured Chinese model that contained the three blessed fruits : peach, pomegranate and lemon (a striped melon or tiger lemon as a fruit variant). In the Meißner design, the latter falsely merged with the pomegranate to form an onion.
Botanical motifs
The original onion pattern decor is divided into three motifs according to the plate division: mirror, flag and throat motif. These motifs can only be determined inexactly from a botanical point of view, because the Asian models already tended towards stylization and the Meißner painters reinforced this stylization through abstraction . Despite certain modifications, the basic motifs remain unmistakable to this day.
- The mirror motif consists of a chrysanthemum branch , a bamboo bush and a vine growing up from a clod. The large chrysanthemum flower is surrounded by dotted stamens, another is shown unfolded in side view. The tendril plant produces prunus blossoms (possibly peach, apricot, plum or almond blossoms). In the middle there is a serrated double leaf and a peony shrub - probably a peony , the national flower of the People's Republic of China cultivated for over 1000 years .
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- The throat motif (the border ) consists of lotus blossoms and tendril-like plants in Meissen. The schematized "tufted edge" that is common today developed from this.
- The flag motif originally consisted of three fruits: peach , pomegranate and melon . In Meissen, the complementary peony blossoms became imaginary, and the large trefoils in between were left out over time, and the pomegranate is often missing. Botanical contradictions in the representation of fruits can be traced back to the painter's handwriting - for example the cracks sometimes transferred from the pomegranate to the peach, the remains of the calyx transferred from the pomegranate to the melon or the number of stems on the melon.
Success through design
The success of the onion pattern design is explained by its flexibility. The combination of twigs, tendrils, flowers and fruits can be applied decoratively to surfaces of any size and shape. Due to the large series, damaged or missing pieces can be replaced or added. An onion pattern service can be adapted to changed eating habits. When, around the middle of the 19th century, drinking coffee became an independent meal in the second half of the day, the cake plate (middle plate) was introduced as a complement to the coffee cup and saucer. Previously, pastries were served on bowls as a dessert course in a multi-course meal or eaten from small crystal plates.
Product variety
In the 19th century alone, over 1000 different Meißner products were decorated with the onion pattern: vessels, place settings, dishes, kitchen utensils. Even at that time, it was also appearing on coffee blankets, serviettes and even on stationery. In the meantime, all kinds of manufacturers also offer tin cans, towels, curtains, electric egg boilers and much more in this decor - however, since 1888 only the Meissen porcelain manufacturer has been allowed to put the sword mark in the base of the bamboo tree. Variants in other colors were often given new names.
Manufacturing
The detailed pattern is still hand-painted in the Meissen porcelain factory to this day. In other factories, the transfer printing process was introduced as early as the 19th century .
providers
In addition to the Meißner manufactory, the Teichert manufactory is known ( Bürgerlich Meißen ), which initially produced in Meißen and operated a branch in Eichwald (Bohemia) from 1885 to 1896 . Due to customs problems, this branch was sold to the entrepreneur Bernhard Bloch (1836–1909), who named it “B. Bloch & Co. Porcelain, majolica, oven and terracotta factories, Bohemia, Eichwald / Dubí ”. In the Dubí porcelain factory, porcelain with the onion pattern decoration is still produced under the brand name "Original - Bohemia - Onion pattern". Onion pattern ceramics by Hutschenreuther from Selb have been known since the beginning of the 20th century .
Other manufacturers and labels under which the onion pattern decor is offered are Villeroy & Boch , Winterling (formerly Oscar Schaller & Co.), Triptis , Kahla (2 decors), Alt Mitterteich, Zehendner Tirschenreuth, Tettau Bavaria, Marienbad, Wellco, Sandra Rich, gepo Royal Mainhausen, Gerold Porzellan Bavaria, Schumann Bavaria, Karlsbader (Bohemia), Harmonia Crivisa (Spain), Cluj-Napoca (Romania) and also Blue Danube (Japan).
literature
- Otto Walcha: Meissen porcelain. From the beginning to the present. 8th edition, Verlag der Kunst, Dresden 1986, ISBN 3-364-00012-3 .
- Günther Sterba: Utility porcelain from Meissen. Edition Leipzig, Leipzig 1988, ISBN 3-361-00193-5 .
- Lutz Miedtank: onion pattern. On the 300 year history of decor on porcelain, faience and earthenware. 3rd edition, Edition Leipzig, Leipzig 2001, ISBN 3-361-00350-4 .
- Lutz Miedtank u. Sebastian Miedtank: True stories about the onion pattern. Tauchaer Verlag, Taucha 2003, ISBN 3-89772-068-X .
- Hertha Wellensiek: Hundreds of old porcelain cups. Übsilon-Verlag, Munich 1983.
Individual evidence
- ^ Renate Dolz, Porzellan, Munich 1969.
