The square body and over-handle on this Meissen teapot were inspired by the shape of Chinese Yixing wares, red stoneware vessels that were fashionable in Europe at this time. While some versions of this teapot have been left unpainted, this piece is decorated with Chinese dragons amongst foliage in black enamel with gilt highlights. In the early decades of production, teapots and other porcelain wares made by the Meissen porcelain manufactory were sold onto hausmaler (house painters) who would decorate them in independent workshops. Hausmaler activity flourished in cities such as Augsburg. This teapot was painted by Ignaz Preissler who worked on a freelance basis enamelling porcelain with chinoiserie scenes, using a signature palette of black enamels known as Schwarzlot, which translates to ‘black lead’. His work was highly celebrated by kings, archbishops, and other members of the nobility. One Polish count employed Preissler for seven years to decorate his porcelain and glass objects.
