Buddhist Divinity

Art Historical Context

This delicate porcelain figurine, titledBuddhist Divinity*, crafted by the renowned Meissen Manufactory Germany around 1715–20, with decoration added circa 1718–20. Modeled by Georg Funcke, a skilled sculptor at the factory, it stands just under 4 inches tall (10 cm) and exemplifies early European mastery of hard-paste porcelain translucent, durable material that had been a closely guarded secret of Chinese artisans for centuries. Produced in Saxony under the patronage of Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, Meissen's innovations marked a pivotal moment in ceramics history, sparking a porcelain craze across Europe. The figurine's depiction of a male Buddhist divinity reflects the era's fascination with Eastern cultures, blending exotic subject matter with rococo elegance. Funcke's modeling captures intricate details like flowing robes and serene features, while the later polychrome decoration—likely overglaze enamels in vibrant hues—highlights Meissen's technical prowess in firing and painting on fragile porcelain. This small-scale sculpture was part of a wave of chinoiserie figures that adorned aristocratic tables and cabinets, symbolizing luxury and global curiosity. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department, this piece from the 1977 bequest of R. Thornton Wilson invites us to marvel at Meissen's role in democratizing porcelain artistry, bridging Eastern mysticism with Western innovation.

About the Artist

Meissen Manufactory|Georg Funcke · 1710–present

The Meissen Manufactory, established on June 6, 1710, by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, marked the dawn of true hard-paste porcelain production in Europe. Nestled at Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen near Dresden, the Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Porcelain Manufactory arose from alchemical experiments begun in 1708 by physicist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and p...