Two-handled beaker and saucer

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Two-handled beaker and saucer* from the Meissen Manufactory, crafted between 1720 and 1725. As one of Europe's pioneering producers of hard-paste porcelain—a true technical marvel that rivaled the finest Chinese imports— this German piece exemplifies the early 18th-century race to unlock the secrets of true porcelain. Made at Meissen near Dresden, it features decoration from Augsburg workshops, blending masterful potting with vibrant overglaze enamels. Adorned in the whimsical Chinoiserie style, the beaker and saucer depict elegant men in fantastical Oriental scenes, a European fantasy inspired by imported Chinese porcelain and lacquerware. This vogue swept aristocratic courts, symbolizing luxury and exoticism during the Rococo era. The intricate hand-painted figures, with their flowing robes and poised gestures, showcase the painters' skill in capturing movement and color on the glossy surface. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, this delicate vessel invites us to savor the ingenuity of Meissen artisans, who transformed clay into coveted treasures that graced the tables of Europe's elite. A testament to cultural exchange and innovation!

About the Artist

Meissen Manufactory · 1710–present

The Meissen Manufactory, established on June 6, 1710, by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, marked the dawn of true hard-paste porcelain production in Europe. Nestled at Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen near Dresden, the Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Porcelain Manufactory arose from alchemical experiments begun in 1708 by physicist Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus and p...