Cup and Saucer
Unknown Artist
1800–1815
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
Cup: H. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm); Diam. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) Saucer: H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); Diam. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm)
Classification
Cup and saucer
Culture
Chinese
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1942
Accession Number
42.149.18, .28
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant cup and saucer, crafted in China between 1800 and 1815, exemplifies the height of the porcelain export trade that flourished during the early 19th century. Made from fine porcelain—renowned for its translucency and durability—the set features subtle dimensions ideal for genteel tea service: the cup stands just 1⅝ inches tall with a 3½-inch diameter, paired with a 5⅝-inch saucer. Delicate eagle motifs, hinted at in its tags, adorn the surface, likely painted in underglaze blue or overglaze enamels, a hallmark technique of Chinese potters catering to Western tastes. Produced during...