Description
Meissen, a renowned porcelain manufacturer in Saxony, Germany, was known for producing some of the most exquisite porcelain works in the country, alongside KPM of Berlin and Rosenthal of Bavaria. Among their unique creations were porcelain table medals, typically crafted from bisque porcelain and hand-painted.
This particular table medal, offered today, is a tribute to Saxony’s Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 104, a unit that served extensively during World War I. The medal measures 1 1/2″ in diameter and is painted in a rich chocolate brown. The front of the medal showcases the years 1914-1918, along with a stahlhelm and sword. The crowned cypher of the Saxon King, Friedrich August III, and the name of the regiment are also present. The reverse side of the medal features Meissen’s logo, as well as a depiction of a military monument and the inscription “Ehret Die Toten (Honor the Dead).”
Overall, the table medal is in exceptional condition and is a testament to Meissen’s mastery of porcelain artistry.
Saxony’s Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 104 was a unit in the Saxon Army that was raised during World War I. The regiment was mobilized on August 2, 1914, and served in several major battles of the war, including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, in 1919.
During its service, the Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr 104 suffered significant casualties, including many fatalities. The Meissen porcelain table medal described in the product description likely served as a tribute to the regiment’s sacrifices and achievements during the war.
References:
- “Saxon Army” in The Encyclopedia Americana, 1920.
- “Saxony” in The New International Encyclopaedia, 1918.
- “Saxony” in The Cambridge Modern History, Volume XII: The Shifting Balance of World Forces, 1898-1945, 1934.
