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With the gradual spread of the recipe or "Arcanum" for hard-paste porcelain, Nymphenburg Porcelain represents the first porcelain manufactory in Bavaria. In 1747, porcelain began production in Neudeck Hunting Castle outside Munich. By 1761, Nymphenburg porcelain had re-located to facilities on the grounds of Nymphenburg Palace in the Munich suburbs. This activity came not too many years after the first nearby hard-paste porcelain production outside China commenced in 1708 in Meissen of neighboring Saxony. The link between Meissen and Nymphenburg Porcelain proved to be Joseph Jakob Ringler, who not only knew the proper recipe for hard-paste porcelain, but was critical in managing the delicate temperature requirements of the kilns. The manufacture of porcelain reached its peak under Count von Haimhausen. In 1753 he was the one who managed to obtain the services of Ringler, who came to Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory by way of Vienna. To view Nymphenburg porcelain marks, click here. Since 1761, Nymphenburg Porcelain has been continuously produced in the same location on the grounds of Nymphenburg Palace. All products are still hand fashioned using original water power and kilns, which were engineering marvels of their times. Nymphenburg Porcelain, while making dinnerware and other porcelain ware, is primarily known for its unique figural items. The hiring in 1754 of Franz Anton Bustelli as chief sculptor commenced an era of famed Rococo-style figures which are today considered the pinnacle of the genre. Having Italian heritage, Bustelli also created Commedia dell'Arte figures which became world famous as well. Unfortunately, Bustelli died in 1763. His successor, Modellmeister Dominikus Auliczek, was known for his hunting scenes and other neoclassical themes. In 1797, Auliczek was followed by Johann Peter Melchior. Melchior had worked previously at Höchst and Frankenthal before coming to Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory. His zenith came between 1800 and 1810. Nymphenburg Porcelain has been blessed with strong artistic leadership time after time until the present day. Despite producing some of the finest porcelain over three centuries, the manufactory did not prosper financially. It was helped along by the various reigning monarchs over the years, beginning with Maximilian III Joseph, elector of Bavaria in the 1740's and today, the Nymphenburg Factory is owned by the State of Bavaria. It is managed by a family foundation, the Wittelsbach Equalisation Fund (Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfond).