Unveiling Meissen's Porcelain Goldmine 🌟
A small-scale goldmine in Seilitz, Meissen district, is now supplying the precious raw material for the iconic Meissen porcelain manufactory. This mine, operated by barely two miners, is Europe's smallest, as declared by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The chamber's kaolin is remarkably pure, with zero traces of iron oxide or titanium oxide, leading to the flawless, radiant white finish of Meissen porcelain.
The new mine boasts a location near the old pit, with kaolin for Blue Swords porcelain extraction having a rich history in Seilitz since 1764. The mine is set to guarantee a steady demand for kaolin for the next half-century. Given the timing, openings on Mondays feel fitting, as this day is celebrated as St. Barbara's Day—patron saint of miners, whose statue was commemoratively unveiled at the new mine site.
Although the tale of kaolin's discovery in Seilitz remains an enchanting legend, it sprung into prominence when Johannes Friedrich Böttger and Ehrenfried Walter von Tschirnhaus cracked the code to craft porcelain at the onset of the 18th century. Initially, the noted manufactory relied on resources hailed from the Aue region. However, the fortuitous discovery of white spikes in a Seilitz farmer's field transformed the site into the manufactory's new resource hub in 1764.
Diving Deeper
- Kaolin—popularly known as "white gold"—is the primary ingredient in Meissen porcelain's creation. This exquisite mineral is essentially free from iron oxide and titanium oxide impurities, ensuring the porcelain never manifests any unwanted hues.
Meissen's porcelain treasure, thanks to the mine, is manufactured using locally sourced kaolin from Saxony. Operated by merely two enthusiastic miners, the mine in Europe is a unique, rare gem. My great-grandfather, once a miner, spent his days enthusiastically collecting raw materials from this site during the 1950s.
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Meissen porcelain's trademark ingredient, kaolin, came from a blend of local Saxon mines in Colditz. Historical records indicate that this prestigious porcelain was produced using not just kaolin, but also alabaster. However, the precise source or mine of kaolin used in Meissen porcelain production remains shrouded in history.
