Meissen Celebrates 300 Years Of Famous Porcelain

MEISSEN, GERMANY - JANUARY 20: A porcelain harlequin from a design from 1772 stands on display at the exhibition: "All Nations Are Welcome - 300 Years Meissen Manufactury" in the Meissen museum at the manufactury of German luxury porcelain maker Meissen on January 20, 2010 in Meissen, Germany. Officially called Staatliche Porzellan Manufaktur Meissen, or Meissener Porzellan, Meissen porcelain was founded in 1710 in Meissen and will celebrate its 300th anniversary on January 23. Meissen porcelain is known for its delicate figurines and its onion-pattern blue and white tableware, though the brand also has a long history of jewellery. Meissen porcelain is still produced by hand in Meissen and is known locally as "white gold" due to its high value. Today over half of its production goes abroad, especially to collectors in Japan and Taiwan. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)