The Meissen porcelain factory was founded in 1710.
Meissen’s establishment followed a breakthrough in European ceramics. Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and Johann Friedrich Böttger worked under the patronage of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, to reproduce the hard-paste porcelain long associated with China. Their experiments relied on kaolin, or china clay, a crucial ingredient in true porcelain.
In 1709, Augustus established the Royal-Polish and Electoral-Saxon Porcelain Manufactory and placed Böttger’s laboratory in Albrechtsburg Castle at Meissen. Official production began the following year, which is why 1710 is the standard founding date. The castle also helped protect the closely guarded manufacturing process.
Meissen is often described as Europe’s first successful hard-paste porcelain manufacturer. Its famous crossed-swords mark was introduced in 1720 and later became one of the best-known ceramic trademarks. That date is a frequent source of confusion: 1709 marks the factory’s establishment, while 1710 marks the start of production.