Arcanum: The Extraordinary True Story of the Invention of European Porcelain - Hardcover

Gleeson, Janet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593043480 ISBN 13: 9780593043486

Publisher: Bantam Press Ltd, 1998

Synopsis

Physical description: xii, 272 pages. ; 21 cm. Notes: Maps on endpapers. Bibliography: p. 263-166. Summary: An epic tale of power struggles, rapacious potentates and venerated alchemists, this novel recounts the incredible life story of the man who discovered the magic formula of the art of porcelain making, and the huge impact it had on the Western world at the time. Review: Chinese porcelain was much admired and collected in 17th-century Europe, and the secret of its manufacture was as eagerly sought after as the secret of turning base metal into gold, and often attempted by the same men. King Augustus of Saxony was the keenest of all seekers after the arcanum, or secret recipe; and this book narrates in great detail the involved and often dark events that eventually led to the discovery of the recipe, and the establishment of European porcelain factories, in particular at Meissen. Beauty and worth combined to make porcelain so potent a force that conspiracy, imprisonment, bribery, murder and suicide attended its history. The biography of Johann Friedrich Bottger, the imprisoned alchemist worked to death because of his claim of discovering the formula, is a book in itself, and he is only one of an extraordinary cast of enthusiastic, often misled characters in a story which is eagerly and racily told. (Kirkus UK) Subjects: Böttger, Johann Friedrich 1682-1719. Herold, Johann Gregor. Kaendler, Johann Joachim 1706-1775. Porcelain - 18th century - Europe - History - Design and construction - Manufacture. TRUE STORIES ; Handicrafts ; Modelling (in clay, wax & other plastic materials). Genre: Illustrated.

About this title

Review:

Since the middle ages, Western Europeans have practiced alchemy, a primitive form of chemistry, in the great hope of transforming base metal into gold. In the early 18th century, a second great secret puzzled Western Europe's early scientists: how to make porcelain. Recently arrived from the Orient, porcelain quickly became a symbol of power, prestige, and good taste. In The Arcanum, Janet Gleeson presents an entertaining and informative account of the invention of European porcelain and the founding of the Meissen Porcelain Manufacture outside Dresden, Germany.

Her narrative focuses on three individuals: Alchemist Johann Frederick Böttger inadvertently discovered the arcanum, or secret formula, for making porcelain; Johan Gregor Herold, an ambitious artist, developed colors and patterns of unparalleled brilliance at the newly established Meissen Porcelain Manufacture; Johann Joachim Kaendler, a virtuoso sculptor, used the Meissen porcelain to invent a new art form. Interwoven with the story of Augustus the Strong, the greedy and ambitious king of the Kingdom of Saxony, who held Böttger captive until he discovered the formula, Gleeson's tale reads easily and maintains a high level of suspense and intrigue throughout. --Bertina Loeffler

About the Author:

Janet Gleeson was born in Sri Lanka, where her father was a tea planter. After taking a degree in History of Art and English she joined Sotheby's, and later worked for Bonhams Auctioneers. In 1991 she joined Reed Books, where she was responsible for devising and writing Miller's Antiques and Collectibles. She is the author of the Sunday Times non-fiction bestsellers The Arcanum and The Moneymaker. She is also the author of three novels, The Grenadillo Box, The Serpent in the Garden and The Thief-Taker.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Press Ltd
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0593043480
• ISBN 13: 9780593043486
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1