Teabowl 1730 - 1735

This teabowl was made by the Meissen Manufactory in the 18th century. Meissen was the first European manufactory to successfully produce hard-paste porcelain, the formula having been previously perfected in China. This piece speaks to the intersection of global trade and European craftsmanship. The European desire for tea fueled the market for porcelain. The bowl’s decoration reflects a European fascination with maritime trade and exploration. A bustling port scene decorates the bowl, with ships, figures, and architecture rendered in monochrome. Reflecting on this teabowl, we can see how the aesthetics of trade and empire were internalized. The simple act of drinking tea became enmeshed with global power dynamics. The bowl is a reminder of the intimate ways in which we consume and participate in larger historical narratives.