Teapot (part of a set) 1730 - 1745

This teapot was made at the Meissen Manufactory, famous for its porcelain, and exemplifies the fashion for tea drinking that swept Europe in the 18th century. Porcelain is a challenging material to work with. The clay must be carefully prepared and fired at very high temperatures, and then decorated with colorful overglazes, further fired and gilded. All of this required skill and time, adding value to the finished object. The scenes painted onto its surface, showing exoticized people, were also fashionable at the time, reflecting the global trade in tea. The very design of the teapot, with its delicate handle and spout, shows a sophisticated understanding of form and function. But the most important element of this teapot is how its creation reflects the nature of production. Meissen was one of the first factories in Europe. Making porcelain was a team effort. The decoration of this teapot reflects an entire social and economic system.