Tea Bowl and Saucer c. 1730

This tea bowl and saucer, made by the Du Paquier Porcelain Manufactory in Vienna around 1730, exemplifies the European fascination with Chinoiserie. The delicate porcelain is decorated with scenes of figures in traditional Chinese dress amidst stylized floral motifs, a style popularized by the East India Trading Company. The use of black and gold paint adds to the luxurious feel of this delicate set, intended for tea drinking, a fashionable beverage in 18th-century Europe. This example, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, reflects the cultural exchange and artistic trends of the period.