Porcelain is well known to have superior qualities over other types of ceramics- most noticeably its strength therefore the absence of scratches on a plate from using a knife and fork. The other qualities of some porcelain in addition to being chip resistant include; flexibility to go from the freezer to the oven to the table. Now porcelain is available at all sorts price points. Yes, even Wal-Mart offers a basic white dinnerware set. Well, about 6,000 miles away from Bentonville and light years away regarding aesthetics is the home of Nymphenburg. Today I want to highlight some of the new decorative items being offered from this premier porcelain maker.
Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg has been handcrafting fine porcelain for 260 years. Porcelain services, figures, and objects of premium quality and purity have been produced at this location since the 18th century. This is no ordinary ‘factory’ location- the palace owned by the royal family of Bavaria is a popular tourist destination complete with gardens and canals. For years, it has been a best-kept secret among those who demand only the finest porcelain available. Each piece is made by hand based on the strictly guarded formulas and processes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Porcelain was a highly desirable commodity during the baroque period. At the time, it only came from China and so, during the 18th century, attempts were undertaken in Europe to produce what was referred to as "white gold". The fragile and gentle character of this porcelain did not only meet the aesthetic of the time – it also reflected the preference for everything extravagant and playful. Which remains the case to this day as experts and collectors of Nymphenburg see its quality and refinement as unique.
Since its founding Nymphenburg has received many prizes and may be admired in some of the world's major art and design collections; MoMA and the Cooper Hewitt in New York, as well as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Nymphenburg is involved in many collaborations with contemporary designers such as Ted Muehling, Hella Jongerias, and about a dozen others. ( Image of Jongerias 'Four Seasons' tea pot 2007). With such provenance it is not surprising to see that Moss is one of the more visible retail outlets in the US. Kneen & Co. is an authorized distributor based in Chicago stocking a significant amount of SKUs.
www.nymphenburg.com/
www.jongeriuslab.com/
www.tedmuehling.com/
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