The museum holds in its collection three Rococo style porcelain plates produced in Dresden, Germany. The history of Dresden porcelain dates back to the early 19th century. The hard-paste porcelain was first produced nearby in the city of Meissen and then hand painted in Dresden. It wasn’t until 1872 when Carl-Johann Gottlob Thieme decided to produce his own porcelain in Dresden. The unpainted pieces were then purchased by local artists to be decorated with intricate floral designs. There were many different workshops painting porcelain in Dresden in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Dresden and Meissen porcelain were often mistaken for one another since Dresden originally exclusively painted Meissen porcelain. Soon after Dresden began manufacturing their own porcelain in 1872, local painters developed unique markings to differentiate their work from Meissen. Items range from dinnerware, figurines, vases, and lamps. Following decades of economic success, production of Dresden porcelain fell during the world wars, though their artistic reputation remained.
Around this time in the 1920s and 1930s, the Dresden Plate became a very popular quilt pattern. The earliest example of this style, however, dates back to the 1890s. Different elements of the porcelain are said to have served as inspiration for the pattern. These include the shape of the plates, the delicate floral decoration, and the artist markings on the bottom of the plates. The Dresden Plate Fan, closely resembling a flower, can be found in a few early examples. Variations of this design were combined to make the Dresden Plate pattern that is still used today.
In addition to the Dresden Plate quilts, the museum has a number of Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilts. The origins of this hexagonal quilt pattern dates back to England in the 1830s. A traditional hexagonal pattern was published in an issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1835. Hexagonal patterns had a revival around the 1930s in the United States. This versatile shape can be made into flowers, medallions, and diamond patterns. With a central hexagon point, the Grandmother’s Flower Garden often closely resembles the Dresden Plate pattern.
One can find these traditional quilt patterns in antique shops, museums, and private homes around the world. They became popular in the United States during a difficult period in the country’s history. The bright colors and cheerful designs brought comfort to many as a reminder of better days.
