“The Good Mother” is one of the Meissen porcelain pieces in a temporary exhibit at the Maridon Museum. This enlarged detail of the figurine reflects the beauty and precision of this exquisite artwork.

“Meissen Treasures,” a temporary exhibit of German Meissen porcelain, is on display at the Maridon Museum.

Among the 13 seldom-seen pieces in this exhibit, visitors might notice that two of the 13 figurines are made from the same molds but are painted differently.

In the 18th century, porcelain — also known at the time as “white gold” — was one of the most highly prized commodities in the world.

Porcelain was developed in China about 2,000 years ago, but the method for making it remained as mystery to Europeans until the early 18th century when Johann Friedrich Bottger discovered the formula, and in 1710 the Meissen factory was established in Germany.

That factory went on to produce some of the finest wares and sculptures ever seen in the West, and remains one of the most sought-after names in European ceramics.

Each piece of Meissen is hand painted. The Meissen Drawing School trained modelers and painters as early as 1764. The training took three years before artists mastered the skills to paint on Meissen porcelain.

This temporary exhibit will continue through early spring in the Maridon's multipurpose room.

A temporary exhibit focusing on dogs is featured in a side gallery. This exhibit, which will change in mid-January, includes foo dogs, also known as Chinese guardian lions.

The Maridon, at 322 N. McKean St., is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, except holidays.

Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students, and free for children under 8 accompanied by an adult.

Call 724-282-0123 or visit www.maridon.org.