Pouring vessel (Kendi) 1705 - 1717

This red earthenware kendi, a type of pouring vessel, was made by the Meissen Manufactory in Germany between 1705 and 1717. The piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the Meissen factory’s early experimentation with a Chinese-inspired red stoneware known as “Böttger ware.” The kendi features intricate relief decoration of stylized floral motifs and dragons, reflecting the fascination with Asian art that was prevalent in Europe at the time.