How to Date Meissen Porcelain

Look for the under glaze blue crossed swords or AR monogram mark on the underside of the piece. Added during production before glazing, these marks are the best way to date a piece. There has been a variation of the crossed swords monogram in use since 1724, and these variations generally correspond with specific date ranges. For instance, crossed swords with a dot between the hilts denote a period between 1732 and 1773, while a mark with a star under the swords was likely produced between 1773 and 1814. Pieces with the AR monogram were made for August II for both his personal use and as gifts. Those pieces can be dated between 1710 and the year of his death in 1733.

Look for an impressed mold number on the underside of the piece. In 1763, Meissen began marking pieces with mold numbers. Pieces without a number may have been produced before that time. These marks do not, however, date the mold itself or any of the pieces created with it, nor do they mean that molds with numbers were only made after 1763, as Meissen created the numbers for internal inventory purposes and added numbers to existing molds.

Determine the period style of your piece. From the Baroque period to present day, Meissen evolved along with other artistic mediums and the period style of your piece can tell you the earliest time of production. For instance, Meissen porcelain in the Art Nouveau style was produced no earlier than the beginning of that movement, around the turn of the 20th century. Do not assume, however, that a baroque-style piece was produced only in the early 18th century, as artistic movements often have revivals in later decades or centuries. To discover the period style of your piece, compare it to other authenticated or dated pieces listed in reference books or online.