Silver-Mounted Porcelain Tankard, c. 1726

This early Meissen porcelain tankard is a superb artifact from the foundational period of European hard-paste porcelain manufacturing. Dating to 1726, it showcases the factory's revolutionary technical mastery and its sophisticated engagement with East Asian aesthetics. The body is decorated in the famous "Blue Onion" style—Meissen's distinct reinterpretation of Chinese blue and white motifs, derived from Chinese models that were highly prized by Augustus the Strong (Elector of Saxony and King of Poland), the factory’s patron.

The Zwiebelmuster (Blue Onion pattern) decoration, executed in deep underglaze cobalt blue, required the complex and precise firing of the cobalt before the application of the transparent glaze and is a hallmark of Meissen's technical innovation. The form of the tankard itself - a large, cylindrical drinking vessel - is derived from a traditional German stoneware and metalwork prototype, perfectly illustrating the fusion of European function with Asian-inspired ornament that defines early Meissen.

The tankard is complete with its original silver lid and thumbpiece. This plain silver mount provides a luxurious and functional European framework for the delicate porcelain body. Such metal mounts were essential for vessels intended for use, protecting the fragile rim of the porcelain and indicating the high value placed on the object. This pairing of rare, technologically advanced porcelain with expertly crafted precious metal signifies a pivotal moment in the history of decorative arts.

Compare examples in the Metropolitan Museum (54.147.81) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1983.616).