Chocolate cup and saucer with dragons and phoenixes 1734 - 1744

This Meissen porcelain cup and saucer, crafted between 1734 and 1744, is a striking example of the European fascination with East Asian art during the 18th century. The cup and saucer are decorated with delicate red and gold dragons and phoenixes, a motif known as "Chinese taste." The Meissen Manufactory, founded in 1710, was one of the earliest and most successful producers of European porcelain, and their skillful craftsmanship is evident in this exquisite piece. The cup and saucer, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, are a testament to the enduring appeal of Chinese aesthetics in European art.