Sauceboat (One of a Pair)
Medium
ceramics
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of Erskine Hewitt
Accession Number
1938-57-386-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant sauceboat, one of a pair crafted by the renowned Meissen Porcelain Manactory in Germany during the mid-18th, exemplifies the pinnacle of ceramic artistry. Founded in 1710, Meissen was the first European factory to produce true-paste porcelain—a technical breakthrough that rivaled coveted Chinese imports. These sauceboats, designed for serving sauces at lavish dinners, transformed everyday tableware into symbols of wealth and refinement. In the opulent Rococo era, Meissen pieces like this were celebrated for their delicate translucency, intricate modeling, and often vibrant hand-p...