Teapot 1735 - 1755

This delicate teapot was made by the Meissen Manufactory, in Germany, using hard-paste porcelain. This material was revolutionary in Europe, and the process to make it was closely guarded. The shape of the teapot was achieved using a mould, and the handle and spout were probably cast separately, then carefully luted to the body. Decoration was then applied by hand in overglaze enamel; the dark color of the birds and foliage suggests this was done with a practiced brush. The overall effect is one of refinement and elegance. Yet this belies the intensely difficult working conditions that existed in the Meissen factory. Workers risked their health every day breathing in toxic materials, and the work required incredible precision. This teapot, therefore, represents a remarkable confluence of technical innovation, skilled labor, and social exploitation. When you look at this object, remember that materials, making, and context are all essential to understanding its true value.