NEW YORK, NY.- The Frick Collection presents Henry Arnhold’s Meissen Palace, an exhibition of works from the famed European porcelain manufactory along with several Asian examples that inspired such wares. The pieces are drawn from the collection of the late Henry H. Arnhold (1921–2018), whose foundation made a promised gift of more than 100 objects to the institution nearly a decade ago and supported the creation of the Portico Gallery, where the exhibition will be shown. Organized by Charlotte Vignon, the Frick’s Curator of Decorative Arts, the show offers a fresh take on this esteemed collection, transforming the gallery into an eighteenth-century “porcelain room,” and grouping the works on view by color. This type of installation emulates a historic approach and allows visitors to experience these fragile, luxurious objects in much the same way one would have in eighteenth-century Europe.

Vignon adds, “In looking a new at these wondrous pieces given to the Frick by the late Henry Arnhold, I have considered his attraction to them alongside the fascination they held for the most famous patron of such objects, Augustus II (1670–1733), king of Poland and elector of Saxony. Reflecting on the ways both men lived with their collections, I wanted to explore the idea that Arnhold was creating his own palace of porcelain. Indeed, he acquired many objects commissioned by Augustus, which we are including in the exhibition. We hope visitors to the show enjoy looking at these whimsical works through the eyes of both enthusiasts.” An illustrated booklet featuring installation views and a conversation with members of the Arnhold family is available.

The Installation
In the eighteenth century, ceramic ware of diverse forms, techniques, and origins was often exhibited in extravagant spaces called “porcelain rooms,” and frequently arranged by their color. This type of display was famously adopted by Augustus II for his small pleasure palace in Dresden, called the Japanisches Palais (Japanese Palace). The most important porcelain collector of his time, Augustus was said to have been afflicted by a maladie de porcelaine (porcelain fever). By 1719, he had amassed more than twenty thousand pieces of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, which he showcased in the Japanese Palace. In 1729, the palace was rebuilt and expanded to highlight specially commissioned porcelain from the Meissen Royal Porcelain Manufactory, founded by Augustus in 1710. The manufactory was the first of its kind in Europe.

Installation view of Böttger porcelain, "Henry Arnhold’s Meissen Palace: Celebrating a Collector." The Frick Collection, New York.

Meissen Porcelain and the Arnhold Collection
Long admired for their masterfully modeled shapes and gemlike glazes, Meissen porcelain offers a window into the early years of manufacturing porcelain in the West and celebrates a fascinating chapter in the history of the ceramic medium. Although the formula for manufacturing true porcelain had been developed in China by the sixth century, it remained shrouded in mystery in the West until its discovery in 1708 under the patronage of Augustus II. Early Meissen porcelain was at the forefront of the European ceramic industry until the ascendency of the Royal Sèvres Manufactory in France in the 1750s.

The Arnhold Collection, one of the greatest private holdings of Meissen porcelain assembled in the twentieth century, was formed in Dresden between 1926 and 1935 by Lisa Arnhold (1890–1972) and Heinrich Arnhold (1885–1935), with a focus on tablewares and vases and pieces of royal or noteworthy provenance. The Arnhold Collection came to America with Lisa Arnhold and her family at the start of World War II. Lisa and Heinrich’s son, Henry, extended the size and scope of the collection, sometimes following his parents’ tastes and preferences, sometimes departing from tradition with the acquisition of Meissen with underglaze blue decoration, figures and groups, and mounted objects.

This is the fourth presentation to focus on this important collection following Porcelain, No Simple Matter: Arlene Shechet and the Arnhold Collection (2016), White Gold: Highlights from the Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain (2011) and The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710–50 (2008). The Portico Gallery’s architectural transformation into an exhibition space was underwritten by Arnhold in 2011.

Reticulated Basket by Samuel Schneeweiss (master 1670, d. 1697), ca. 1685–90. Silver, l. 6 1/8 in. (34.6 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Böttger Ware

Pair of Four Sided Bottles, ca. 1711. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 7 11/16 in. (19.5 cm), h. 8 in. (20.3 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Standing Cup with Cover, ca. 1711–13. Decoration attributed to Martin Schnell (ca. 1675–1740). Model attributed to Johann Jakob Irminger (1635–1724). Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. (with cover) 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Incense Burner in the Form of a Seated Buddhist Divinity, ca. 1710–13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Two-Handled Reticulated Oval Dish, ca. 1711. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, l. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Black-Glazed Teapot with Cover, ca. 1710−13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Tankard, ca. 1710–13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Tea Bowl and Saucer, ca. 1711–15. Böttger stoneware with black glaze, Meissen porcelain manufactory; tea bowl 1 5/8 × 3 7/16 in. (4.1 × 8.7 cm), saucer 1 1/8 × 4 15/16 in. (2.9 × 12.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, German, Dresden, ca. 1700. Polished, diamond-faceted stoneware, h. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Coffee Pot with Cover, ca. 1710−13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 2 5/8 in. (15.6 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot with Cover, ca. 1710−13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot with Cover, ca. 1710−13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Octagonal Vase with Mounted Foot and Cover, ca. 1710–13. Silver-gilt mounted Böttger stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 6 in. (15.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Black-Glazed, Four-Sided Bottle with Stopper, ca. 1711–13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, h. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Medallion with Profile of Friedrich August II, Crown Prince of Saxony, ca. 1710–13. Böttger red stoneware, Meissen porcelain manufactory, diam. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

White Ware

Teapot, Chinese, Dehua, Qing Dynasty (1644−1911), Kangxi Period (1662−1722), ca. 1700. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1713. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Incense Burner in the Form of a Seated Buddhist Divinity, ca. 1715−20. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1713−15. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 6 in. (15.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1715. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Dish, ca. 1729−31. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Small Two-Handled Bowl with Cover, 1735 or 1738. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775) and/or Johann Friedrich Eberlein (1696–1749). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Snuffbox with Gilt-Metal Mounts and Cover, ca. 1737−40. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain with gilt-metal mounts, h. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Great Bustard, 1732. Model by Johann Gottlieb Kirchner (1706–1768). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 33 in. (83.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2013 © The Frick Collection.

Red, Green and Orange Ware

Mustard Pot and Cruet, 1737–39. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; mustard pot h. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm), cruet h. 7 in. (17.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Large Dish from the “Red Dragon” Service, ca. 1730−35. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 13 3/8 in. (34.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Fluted Dish, ca. 1729–30. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection

Dish, Japanese, Kakiemon, Edo Period (1615–1868), ca. 1700. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Shell-Shaped Dish, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, w. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Four-Sided Bottle, ca. 1720–25. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 7 in. (17.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Set of Three Vases, ca. 1730–35. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm), h. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm), h. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Four-Sided Bottle, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 8 9/16 in. (21.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Pair of Four-Sided Bottles with Stoppers, ca. 1724. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 9 in. (22.9 cm) each. Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Bottle Vase, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 8 1/4 in. (21 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Bottle Vase, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Fluted Beaker and Saucer, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; beaker h. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm), saucer diam. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Tea Bowl and Saucer, ca. 1735. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; tea bowl h. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm), saucer diam. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1725–30. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 4 in. (10.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection

Beaker and Saucer, ca. 1723. Decoration attributed to Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; beaker h. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm), saucer diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Mounted Tankard, ca. 1723–24. Decoration attributed to Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. (with lid) 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Tankard with Silver-Gilt Cover and Mounts, ca. 1725−30. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain with gilt-metal mounts, h. 7 1/4 in. (18.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Vase, ca. 1723. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Four Small Bowls, ca. 1725. Decorated by Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm) each. Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Figure of Hofnarr Fröhlich (Cheerful Court Jester), 1738. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Dish, Japanese, Kakiemon, Edo Period (1615–1868), ca. 1700. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Dish, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Stand, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Plate, ca. 1725−30. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 8 3/4 in. (22.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Two Birds of Paradise, ca. 1733. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm) each. Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Pair of Hoopoes ("Wiedehopf") on Tree Trunks, 1736. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 12 3/16 in. (31 cm) each. Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Vase, ca. 1725–30. Probably decorated by Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 15 in. (38.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Covered Box from a Toilette Service, ca. 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1729–31. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Mounted Group, ca. 1740−45. Model by Johann Joachim Kändler (1706–1775). Gilt-bronze mounts: French. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain with gilt-bronze mounts, h. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Brush Handle from the Toilette Service Sent to the Queen of Naples, ca. 1745–47. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Blue-and-White Ware

Pair of Vases, ca. 1725–30. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 24 3/4 in. (62.9 cm), h. 24 1/8 in. (61.3 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Pair of "Birdcage" Vases, after 1730. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 20 1/4 in. (51.4 cm), h. 20 1/2 in. (52.3 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2015 © The Frick Collection.

Vase with Cover, ca. 1725. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Plate, ca. 1724. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Stand, ca. 1740. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 12 5/8 in. (32 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Gilded Ware

Saucer, ca. 1724−25. Decorated by Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696–1775). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection. 

Plate from the "Coronation" Service, ca. 1733−34. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, diam. 9 in. (22.8 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Beaker and Saucer, ca. 1725–30. Decoration attributed to Ignaz A. Bottengruber (act. 1720–30). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; beaker h. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm), saucer diam. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm).Gift of Henry H. Arnhold © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1725–30. Decoration attributed to the workshop of Bartholomäus Seuter (ca. 1678–1754). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 6 in. (15.2 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot, ca. 1715−20. Decoration probably by the workshop of Bartholomäus Seuter (ca. 1678–1754). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Pair of Mounted Bottles with Covers, ca. 1720–25. Decoration attributed to the workshop of Bartholomäus Seuter (ca. 1678–1754). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm), h. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Tankard with Silver-Gilt Mounts, ca. 1725-30. Decoration attributed to the workshop of Bartholomäus Seuter (ca. 1678–1754). Silver gilt by Elias Adam (ca. 1669–1745). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain with silver-gilt mounts, h. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Two-Handled Beaker and Saucer, ca. 1725. Decoration probably by the workshop of Bartholomäus Seuter (ca. 1678–1754). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; beaker h. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm), saucer diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Teapot with Gilt-Metal Mounts. Chinese, Qing Dynasty (1644−1911), Kangxi Period (1662−1722), late 17th century. Hard-paste porcelain with gilt-metal mounts, h. 4 in. (10 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Spice Box from the "Swan" Service, ca. 1737−41. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Bowl and Saucer, ca. 1720. Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; tea bowl h. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm), saucer diam. 5 1/8 in. (13.0 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

Beaker and Trembleuse Saucer, ca. 1717−18. Decoration attributed to the workshop of Johann Georg Funcke (act. ca. 1713–40). Meissen porcelain manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain; beaker h. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm), saucer diam. 5 3/4 in. (14.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

An Actor from the Commedia dell'Arte, ca. 1725. Decorated in Dresden or Augsburg. Hard-paste porcelain, h. 6 9/16 in. (16.7 cm). Gift of Henry H. Arnhold, 2019 © The Frick Collection.

. Meissen porcelain manufactory.