Tea set

ARTIST / MAKER: Imperial Vienna Porcelain Factory (maker)
DATE: 19th century (made)
PLACE: Austria (made)
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES: Porcelain, with overglaze enamels and gilded decoration
COLLECTION NUMBER: 523

The Imperial Vienna Porcelain factory operated under various guises between 1718 and 1864. This nine piece set, known as a tête-á-tête because it was designed for two people, includes a rectangular tray, a teapot, a wide shallow dish, known as a tazza, two cups and saucers with covers, a tea canister and a milk jug. Each piece is decorated with scenes from the life of mythological characters, including, Zeus and Ganymede, Theseus and the Minotaur, Hercules and Hermes.