Vase Sculpture

What colossal floral arrangements could this Vase Sculpture possibly hold? Here in the Zwinger Palace, home to Dresden’s Porcelain Collection, stands this intriguing piece. The Vase Sculpture itself isn’t porcelain, but it’s surrounded by thousands of porcelain artifacts. The Dresden Porcelain Collection boasts around 20,000 pieces. It was founded in 1715 by Augustus the Strong. Originally housed in the Japanese Palace, the collection moved to the Johanneum in 1876. It finally found its home in the Zwinger Palace in 1962, after being evacuated during World War II. Imagine the curatorial effort to preserve such a vast and delicate collection! The collection showcases Chinese and Japanese porcelain, including the famed “Dragoon Vases”. These vases were acquired by Augustus the Strong in a rather unusual trade. He exchanged a regiment of dragoons with King Frederick William I of Prussia for these porcelain treasures. The collection also features Meissen porcelain, with its delicate European motifs and miniature sculptures. Not all 20,000 pieces are on display at once. Only about 2,000, a mere 10 percent, are exhibited at any given time. Yet, each piece tells a story, whispering tales of royal extravagance and artistic skill. It’s a journey through time, from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the rococo era, all captured in the delicate beauty of porcelain. As you admire the Vase Sculpture, consider the sheer volume of history and artistry surrounding it. The Vase Sculpture is a silent observer in a palace filled with porcelain whispers. A testament to a bygone era of kings, dragoons, and the enduring allure of porcelain.