Gun-Dagmar Helke – författare

In the 18th century pugs found their way onto the laps of noblewomen and, with this, into the portraits of contemporary rulers. Small and forever panting, the pug could not be put to use as a watchdog or a herding dog, but it compensated for this with its charm. The dog ultimately found its way onto porcelain and faience. Johann Joachim Kändler, the most significant modeler of the Meissen porcelain manufactory, designed over 60 variants of the pug between 1740 and 1760 - standing, lying, scratching, and performing tricks. Kändler portrayed the pug belonging to Count Heinrich von Brühl in a splendid one-off, but he also produced models for serial production. This southern German collection comprises over 150 ceramic pugs as well as other dogs. Moreover, they do not just appear individually; they may also be part of a courtly scene or decorate wares in the gallant style - accessories such as flacons, (snuff) boxes, and walking-stick handles.Text in English and German.

A spectacular discovery brings excitement and wonder to the comfortable existence of the two dragon children Drako and Naja. As new friends enter their lives, everything around them appears to suddenly change. They embark on an adventure into the world of ceramics, one far beyond paper and plastic tableware. Fly away with them into faraway lands and eras, and discover mysteries while conjuring up the magic of fire and uncovering the allure of colours. The story is as full of excitement as the illustrations are bright, fanciful, and inspiring. Both come together in a symbiosis that communicates the history of art and culture to children of eight years and older in a lively and captivating way!Text in German.

For almost 300 years, pocket watches were important accessories for the nobility and middle-classes. In order to store the watches securely and stylishly, artfully designed stands that matched the wearer’s interior were developed and were an impressive reflection of the history of European art and culture from the Baroque to the early 20th-century. The stands ranged from miniature versions of grandfather and mantle clocks to one-off works of art made from wood, ceramic or metal.Until now, research on pocket-watch stands has attracted little attention. This publication provides a first representative overview of more than 800 objects from a unique private collection in southern Germany, documenting its wealth of designs, which encompass a large repertoire of Christian, mythological and political themes. Scholarly texts on the history of the objects, their designs, and restoration issues make this an indispensable standard work in this field.Text in English, German and French.

Scenes of gardens and of love, idyllic hunting parties, picturesque farms, and lifelike animal figurines in porcelain were popular motifs in table decoration from the Baroque to the beginning of the 19th century. These 'worlds in miniature' were intended to initiate conversation among the table guests - and of course attest to the discerning taste of the hosts. The decorative pieces were, for all intents and purposes, part of the furnishing scheme and finished off the room’s interior as a total work of art down to the last detail. Central to this was the artisanal sophistication and the perfect mastery of the latest techniques, which breathed new life into the miniatures.Following on from Courtly Companions: Pugs and Other Dogs in Porcelain and Faience, now Courtly Pleasures presents the most beautiful table decorations produced by a variety of manufacturers, all from the abundant treasures of a southwest German private collection.Text in English and German.