Ambrosius Lamm, Dresden China Producer
The German Saxony capital of Dresden reached its peak as a center for producing fine hand-painted china in the century from 1850 to 1950 when over 200 decorating studios were in operation. This artistic outpouring had its origins in the nineteenth century’s translation of the earlier fashionable rococo period into a broad romantic movement expanding on themes of lush naturalism, beauty and love.
The firm of A. Lamm, located at 28 Zinzendorstrasse, was one of the city’s leading workshops from its founding in 1887 and produced decorated wares beautifully reflecting these romantic themes. A talented artist himself as well as a porcelain decorator, Ambrosius Lamm purchased blanks from Meissen, Rosenthal, Hutschenreuther and Silesia as well as other porcelain manufacturers and turned them over to as many as forty artists in his employ for decoration.
The Lamm studio was known for the highest quality painting in the Viennese, Meissen and Copenhagen styles. Its specialties were “Old Dresden Flowers”, Watteau style French romantic scenes and mythological depictions. A wide range of luxury wares were produced, including cabinet plates, cabinet cups and saucers, center pieces, etc. Complete dinner sets were also produced (many with the owner’s monogram) as well as more utilitarian wares.
Among the most exquisite Lamm pieces are ones featuring heavy gold paste work and well executed portraits. Jeweling and beading were also favored techniques on the very best wares. Lamm produced numerous plaques rivaling in quality the famous KPM plaques produced in Berlin. Another famous Lamm accomplishment was a series of twelve cabinet plates reproducing portions of famous oil paintings from the Semper Gallery in Dresden’s Zwinger Palace.
The Lamm workshop used several marks on its wares during its 62 years of operation. The first mark was a blue lamb over a script “Dresden” used from 1887 to about 1890. Shortly before World War I the firm was marking its wares with a shield/cartouche form enclosing a script “L” and/or an angel or cupid (a favorite Lamm decoration) over a script “Dresden/Saxony”. Lamm pieces can also be found signed by individual artists.
Unfortunately, much of the work and history of Dresden porcelain was destroyed in 1944 during the Allied bombings of World War II. In a single night, most Dresden decorating studios were obliterated, and the porcelain decorating business has never fully recovered. The Lamm studio struggled on, but finally closed in 1949.
For additional information on Dresden porcelain and Ambrosius Lamm see Dresden Porcelain Studios by Jim and Susan Harran (Collectors Books).