German Porcelain Trompe l'Oeil Cabbage Tureen and Cover, Meissen

Details

Description

18th-Century Meissen "Red Cabbage" Tureen
Marcolini Period (c. 1774–1814)

An exceptional hard-paste porcelain covered tureen (or covered vegetable dish) modeled … Read more 18th-Century Meissen "Red Cabbage" Tureen
Marcolini Period (c. 1774–1814)

An exceptional hard-paste porcelain covered tureen (or covered vegetable dish) modeled naturalistically as a head of red cabbage. Produced by the Royal Meissen Manufactory during the Marcolini Period (1774–1814), this piece is a masterwork of the trompe-l'œil dining fashion, where porcelain vessels were designed to mimic the food they served or simply to amuse guests with their realism.

The modeling is superb, featuring deeply molded, overlapping leaves with ruffled edges that form the body and lid. The handle is cleverly disguised as a curled leaf tip. The decoration is hand-painted in a vibrant palette of pale greens transitioning into rich manganese-purple veins, perfectly capturing the variegated look of a red cabbage.

Markings: The underside bears the underglaze blue Meissen Crossed Swords with a distinct arrow between the hilts.

Decorator’s Mark: A painted gilt "78."

Measurements:
Height: 10.2 cm (4 inches)
Width: 12.1 cm (4 3/4 inches)
Depth: 10.2 cm (4 inches)

Historical Context:

During the directorship of Count Camillo Marcolini, Meissen began moving toward Neoclassical austerity, yet naturalistic wares like this "Red Cabbage" remained highly prized by European aristocracy for table service. These botanical forms were often used as sauce tureens or for serving warm vegetables. The specific "star" mark (often hurriedly painted to look like an arrowhead or triangle, as seen here) is the definitive signature of this sought-after era.

Provenance: Private West Coast Collection,
With Albert Amor Ltd., London, (Paper Label)

(Ref: NY109490-kmrx) See less