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Meissen Porcelain 18th Century Tromp L'oeil Tureen in the form of a Melon

$9,500
£7,130.32
€8,320.16
CA$13,421.61
A$13,456.17
CHF 7,797.76
MX$164,423.86
NOK 90,364.90
SEK 92,277.71
DKK 62,190.88

About the Item

Botanical Illusion: A Rare Meissen Porcelain Trompe L'oeil Melon Tureen and Cover Circa 1750 This exceptional mid-18th century Meissen porcelain trompe l'oeil tureen and cover is masterfully modeled in the naturalistic form of a ripe melon, beautifully painted in lifelike variegated shades of green and soft yellow. The vessel is cleverly conceived in two interlocking parts, featuring a fitted cover surmounted by an organic handle formed as a realistically raised, twisting stem that terminates in large, finely molded serrated leaves spreading across each end. The luminous white glazed interior of both sections remains wonderfully clean and pristine. On the underside of the base, the piece bears the prestigious Meissen factory mark of the underglaze blue crossed swords, anchoring its production to the golden age of European porcelain manufacture. Dimensions 5 inches (12.70 cm) High 6 1/4 inches (15.88 cm) Wide 4 inches (10.16 cm) Deep Provenance Private Maryland Collection. Historical Context During the mid-18th century, European court dining experienced a magnificent obsession with trompe l'oeil porcelain vessels sculpted in the shapes of realistic fruits, vegetables, and animals. The Meissen manufactory was at the absolute vanguard of this culinary fashion, creating highly naturalistic, deceptive table centerpieces that delighted elite aristocratic guests by blurring the line between nature and artifice. The enduring historical significance of this specific Meissen melon model is highlighted by prominent ceramic scholar Meredith Chilton in her article Changing Tastes (April 16, 2020, The Magazine Antiques). Chilton details how premier contemporary English workshops, most notably the Chelsea porcelain factory, eagerly sought out and directly copied this exact Meissen form circa 1755. Today, related examples of this celebrated botanical design reside in world-class institutions, including the famous Gardiner Museum within the collection of Rosalie Wise Sharp. (Ref: NY11113-cmir)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 6.25 in (15.88 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Porcelain
  • Period:
    Mid-18th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1745-50
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. The tureen is in excellent antique condition, with its vibrant green and yellow enamels remaining remarkably bright and glossy. There is a tiny, pinhead sized chip to one side of the cover rim, which is entirely consistent with age and does.
  • Seller Location:
    Downingtown, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: NY11113-cmir1stDibs: LU861050332982

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