Tea canister and lid

ARTIST / MAKER: Meissen porcelain factory (maker)
DATE: ca. 1735 (made)
PLACE: Germany (made)
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES: Hard-paste porcelain painted in underglaze blue enamel and gilt
COLLECTION NUMBER: 281

This porcelain tea canister was made at the Meissen porcelain manufactory in Dresden, and is decorated in underglaze blue enamels imitating the painted ornament found on Chinese porcelain from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The canister also features gilt details including a Chinese fisherman, birds, insects and foliage. The baluster shape of this canister was an uncommon design for the manufactory’s teawares, and was likely inspired by Chinese porcelain canisters that were exported to the West around this time.