All Models from the “Three Wise Monkeys” Meissen Series (as of 2025)

In 2025, the offer of Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen – the oldest porcelain factory in Europe (founded in 1710) – includes four exceptional figurines representing the classic Three Wise Monkeys motif (“see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”). All were designed by Maria Walther, combining tradition, masterful craftsmanship, and a modern approach to the symbolism of the Three Monkeys.

The history of the Meissen manufactory is inseparably linked with the remarkable figure of Augustus II the Strong – King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, a great admirer of luxury, art, and porcelain. In the early 18th century, porcelain in Europe was called “white gold” – rare and expensive, imported exclusively from China. Prices were so high that Augustus II decided to end dependence on Chinese suppliers and established the first hard-paste porcelain manufactory in Europe.

After years of secret experiments, alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger and scientist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus discovered in 1708 the secret of Chinese porcelain – a mixture of kaolin, feldspar, and quartz. Two years later, in 1710, the Meissen manufactory was founded, operating continuously to this day and symbolizing the pinnacle of European craftsmanship.

The legacy of Augustus II also includes significant initiatives in Poland – he initiated the construction of the Saxon Palace in Warsaw and the opening of the adjacent Saxon Garden, the country’s first public park. He also established the Order of the White Eagle, the highest Polish decoration, which still exists today.

Each model from the “Three Wise Monkeys” series has been carefully described, catalogued, and compared by us – from large, limited editions to smaller, more subtle interpretations. These figurines represent one of the most remarkable, artistic, and sought-after examples of Meissen porcelain in the 21st century.