For centuries the Bavarian rulers strove to demonstrate their high status by developing a glittering court life, engaging the best artists and ordering outstanding and most fashionable items of decorative art. Prince Elector Carl Albrecht who was even elected emperor in 1742, ordered in Augsburg a unique service of Chinese and Meissen porcelain completely covered with gold and magnificently etched. As he was related to the Saxon court he was also early owner of Meissen porcelain such as a table fountain or four tea services with Chinese scenes exposed on tiered silver stands.

1968 the German industrialist Dr. Ernst Schneider donated the greatest part of his Meissen collection with more than 2000 pieces to the Bavarian State. His prerequisite for exhibiting the collection in a Baroque palace was fulfilled by placing it in Lustheim Castle, a summer residence of the Bavarian rulers. The famous collection of early Meissen porcelain ranks second only to the Zwinger in Dresden. The lecture will discuss some of the most interesting pieces of both collections.

Speaker: Dr. Katharina Hantschmann