Tureen in the form of a woodcock

Unknown Artist

ca. 1750

Tureen in the form of a woodcock by Unknown Artist

Medium

Tin-glazed earthenware

Dimensions

each: 10 × 10 in. (25.4 × 25.4 cm)

Classification

Ceramics-Pottery

Culture

German, Höchst

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973

Accession Number

1974.356.241a, b

Tags

Birds

Art Historical Context

This delightful tureen, shaped like a plump woodcock, exemplifies the whimsical artistry of mid-18th-century German from the Höchst manufactory. Crafted around 1750 in tin-glazed earthenware—a that allowed for vibrant colors and glossy finishes on affordable pottery—this piece measures 10 by 10 inches and likely served as a pair for presenting soups or stews at elegant tables. The naturalistic form of the game bird, complete with detailed feathers and a perched pose, captures the Rococo era's love for playful, nature-inspired motifs. Höchst, near Frankfurt, was renowned for its porcelain but ...

    Send Feedback

    We use this only to reply to your feedback.