PORCELAIN AND FAIENCE.
263
AUSTRIA.
Imperial Porcelain Works, Vienna .—The manufacture of porcelain was established in Vienna, in 1717, by Blanquièr. In 1746, the works were purchased by the Empress Maria Theresa for 45,000 florins, and Blanquièr was made director. In 1750, forty men were employed; in 1761, one hundred and forty; in 1770, two hundred; and in the year 1780, three hundred and twenty. In the period from 1760 to 1790, under the sculptor Niedermayer, the production of figures and groups was most developed. More attention was then given to decoration of the ware by painting, under the direction of the chemist Leithner, who produced the beautiful blue color known by his name, the reddish brown, and the superb gilding.
The first artists of the day were engaged to furnish sketches ; and amongst the artists we find the names of "Watteau, Sancret, Boucher, and Angelica Kauflinann. In 1827, Director Niedermayer died, and the establishment gradually declined in importance until 1864, when the Heichsrath fe fused further sums for its maintenance and stopped operations. The models were destroyed, and the buildi n g S were turned into an imperial cigar factory.
Private porcelain works, zum Eisgriibl , had been established in 1702, and this firm came into possession of most of the stock on hand in the imperial works, and has since con- huued the manufacture on a smaller scale.
Fischer, Moritz von, Herend , near Weszprim , Hungary.
This famous establishment has its chief depot in Vienna, a,1 d made a very extensive display of all its reproductions of Ce lebrated manufactures of porcelain, chiefly of old Sevres, ■Meissen, old Chinese, and old Japanese. Here could be seen counterparts of the raised flower-work of Saxony, of the open Perforated basket-work ware, of old Vienna porcelain, and of the Italian Capa di Monti. These .imitations are much s °ught for, and are the basis of an extensive business. -Most, if no t all, are distinctly marked with the maker’s name au J place of manufacture, so that no deception or mistakes Cau result. Some ordinary Chinese and Japanese ware is