Secret Formula - The Race for Porcelain - Part 2

How did an alchemist discover the recipe for porcelain? And why did his discovery ultimately drive him mad? Join Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene as they pick up the story of Europe’s obsession with porcelain and the race to discover its secret formula. Stranger than fiction this is another great story in the history of ceramics.

Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include:

King Augustus II the Strong, 1670–1733

Johann Friedrich Böttger, 1682–1719

Friedrich Zorn, 1711–89

King Frederick I of Prussia, 1657–1713

Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, 1651–1708

Plate, Circa 1730–35, Meissen Manufactory

Courtesy of The Met Collection

Vase with cover, 1725, Meissen Manufactory

Courtesy of The Met Collection

Vase, 1710 –13, Meissen Manufactory

Courtesy of The Met Collection

Tea caddy, 1710 –13, Meissen Manufactory

To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks

Chapters

• 00:00:00 Introduction: The Race for Porcelain Continues
• 00:02:21 Augustus the Strong: The Porcelain-Obsessed Ruler
• 00:06:37 Enter Johann Friedrich Böttger: The Young Alchemist
• 00:12:11 The Fateful Demonstration and Escape to Saxony
• 00:15:12 Imprisoned by Augustus: The Gold House Laboratory
• 00:19:13 Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus: The Scientific Mind
• 00:20:44 Dark Days: Failed Promises and Attempted Escape
• 00:28:41 The Turning Point: Discovery of Kaolin
• 00:31:41 The Breakthrough: Creating European Porcelain
• 00:41:46 Freedom and Legacy: Böttger's Final Years
• 00:44:51 The Ironic Twist: China's Secrets Revealed