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Coffeepot

ca. 1730-35

German, 1700-1779

Three exotic and costly beverages—coffee, tea, and chocolate—were introduced throughout Europe during the early seventeenth century as Europeans pursued their passion for traveling in search of things foreign, curious, and rare. Initially, each beverage was surrounded by an aura of exclusiveness and mystery. All three came to be served on special social occasions; by the eighteenth century, they were consumed daily.

When coffee, tea, and chocolate entered Europe, no serving vessels yet existed that were specifically associated with their use. The principal beverages in Europe had been ale and wine. Vessels for those beverages—earthenware and metal jugs, tankards, and mugs—were unsuited for sipping hot, costly beverages brewed in
very small quantities. Chinese export porcelain, and then Europe’s own wares, such as these Meissen services, filled this void.

Hard paste porcelain

8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm), overall height

5 1/2 in. (13.97 cm), overall width

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Nichols

91.102.1

SAM's Porcelain Room

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Media

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Porcelain Stories: From China to Europe", February 17, 2000-May 7, 2000 (2/17/2000 - 5/7/2000)

Published ReferencesEmerson, Julie, Jennifer Chen, & Mimi Gardner Gates, "Porcelain Stories, From China to Europe", Seattle Art Museum, 2000, pg. 111

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