The Freunde der Dresdner Porzellansammlung (Friends of the Dresden Porcelain Collection) have supported the work of the museum – its research projects, exhibitions, publications and acquisitions – in multiple ways since 1991. With great enthusiasm, the members of this society of friends share their love of Dresden’s treasures with the wider world.
All members of the Freunde der Dresdner Porzellansammlung share a fascination for the art of porcelain and its particular tradition in Dresden. Many of the members are collectors themselves, while others are lovers of the museum and its wonderful rarities. And further partners are museums and companies.
In their care for, and research and expansion of, the historically and artistically significant collection, the Friends are exclusively a non-profit organization and are recognized as such by the Saxon tax and revenue authorities. Membership fees and donations are deductible from income tax according to income tax law.
The extensive holdings of East Asian porcelain from the collection of Augustus the Strong were digitized and researched, for the first time. The results are published digitally.
The Meissen animal sculptures are unsurpassed for me. This is why I chose a scaled-down version of the rhinoceros as a gift for the Bavarian Prime Minister in 2012.
With its black and yellow plumage, Kaendler's Golden Oriole from 1733 – called "Beer Owl".
The animal room in the porcelain collection is my personal soul room. There I find peace and inspiration.
Marlis Däbritz (member of advisory council)
In the course of the 'Wettin settlement', it was possible to keep the fascinating animal sculpture in the collection. Contributing to this was a great pleasure for me.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Voß (member of advisory council)
I am fascinated by the slender, goblet-shaped forms of unbelievably delicate Meissen porcelain of the early period, including their small irregularities.
Dr. Melitta Kunze-Köllensperger (deputy chairwoman)
I admire the perfection and the exquisite beauty of Chinese mirror black porcelain. Looking at it, it seems that 300 years have gone by without a trace.
Wolfgang Oho (treasurer)
The Chinese porcelain lantern weighs only 830 grams, and for me it verges on the miraculous.
Porcelain houses as decoration for dessert tables – one of Count Brühl's ideas and it's still cool!
To me, the Meissen Buddha with its life-affirming aura and timeless aesthetic symbolizes the link between China and the first European porcelain.
Jochen Rothauge (member of advisory council)
Great art in the smallest format – Jupiter and Semele on the inside of the lid for a Meissen tabatière, circa 1730.
What I admire are the life-size animal sculptures by Johann Joachim Kaendler. Like no other, he knew how to capture animals in their own creatureliness in porcelain.
Since I like to travel to China myself, I really enjoy scenes from daily life in the 18th century. Such scenes also inspired the Meissen painter Adam Friedrich von Löwenfinck.
My favourite pieces are two small Meissen spoons, which are painted ingeniously with the famous blue onion pattern on both sides.
Once a year, the Friends meet in Dresden to learn about the work of the porcelain collection and to consult about future projects. The annual gathering also provides the opportunity for members to see each other again or to meet for the first time and get to know each other. The general meeting is complemented by a changing programme which may include exclusive tours before exhibition openings, outings, viewings and symposia. A festive evening draws a close to the annual meeting.
This year's meeting took place from September 6 to 8, 2024.
Support the Porzellansammlung Dresden and become a friend. With an annual fee of as little as 75 euros, you too can contribute.
Enjoy a number of benefits:
Sophienstraße – Zwinger
01067 Dresden
Telephone: +49 (0) 351 4914-6612
ps@skd.museum
