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The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
A collaboration between Reino Liefkis, Curator of Ceramics & Glass at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Martin Smith and Steve Brown of the Royal College of Art, to re-manufacture 23 missing components to complete the restoration of a Meissen Table Fountain for the new Europe 1600 – 1815 Galleries at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
The fountain had been acquired by the V&A in a “…much shattered state” and had never exhibited in a complete state.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
A copy, made from the original moulds, was discovered in a museum store in Dresden which had many of the missing components of the V&A’s fountain. These were 3D scanned allowing digital models to be constructed.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
Work by Hanneke Ranakers of the Ceramics & Glass conservation at the V&A enable the restoration of broken sections.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
Restored sections were 3D scanned and digitally mirrored to produce further digital models.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
A porcelain body and glaze were developed to reproduce the qualities of the original.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
CNC machining and 3D printing were used to produce oversize models to allow for the shrinkage of the porcelain.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
CNC machined models. From which plaster moulds were made.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
Press moulding of large base section.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
Finished central bowl with sprigged shells.
The Meissen Fountain Project, 2015
Central section of complete fountain.
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