Tureen in the form of a woodcock
Unknown Artist
ca. 1750
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
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 ...