Moon flask

Art Historical Context

This exquisite Moon flask, crafted by the renowned British porcelain firm Minton(s) around January 1868 1869, exemplifies the of Victorian ceramic artistry from Stoke-on-Trent,—the epicenter of England's pottery industry. Measuring 10 3/8 × 8 1/8 × 4 1/8 inches, its bulbous, moon-like form draws inspiration from 18th-century Chinese export wares, blending Eastern motifs with Western technical mastery. Produced in fine bone china—a translucent, durable material unique to Britain, incorporating bone ash for superior strength and whiteness—this flask showcases Minton's leadership in luxury decorative arts during the Aesthetic Movement. The surface dazzles with enamel decoration and gilding, techniques that allowed for vibrant, intricate patterns fired at low temperatures over the glazed body. Enameling provided rich colors resistant to wear, while gilding added opulent gold accents, making such pieces coveted status symbols for affluent Victorian homes. Donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017 by Helene Fortunoff and Robert Grossman, this flask highlights the era's global trade influences and industrial innovation, bridging fine art and everyday elegance in 19th-century Britain.

About the Artist

Minton(s) · 1793–2001

Minton is among the most distinguished names in the history of British ceramics, a firm whose two and a quarter centuries of production encompass everything from blue transfer-printed earthenwares to the most rarefied decorative porcelain of the Victorian age. The company was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire — the heart of England's pottery industry. ...