Pink Coffee Pot by Meissen Porcelain

The pot dates from 1780-1820 and was bequeathed to our decorative art collection by a Mrs M L Walker. It was made at the Meissen Porcelain factory near Dresden, Germany.

Meissen was the first European maker to discover the secret to making hard-paste porcelain, the ‘true’ porcelain that had been imported from China for centuries. By 1710, the factory’s porcelain wares were so highly sought after it introduced one of the world’s first trademarks – crossed swords – to protect their designs. Its popularity was fuelled by a blend of high quality and good design.

Coffee became available in Europe in the 1600s through trade with Asia. The curiosity and craze for it saw coffee houses opening up in Europe and Britain.

The coffee houses became places where people held business meetings, gossiped, exchanged news and held sociable debates. It sounds just like nowadays! When this coffee set was made, however, coffee houses had fallen out of fashion. A set like this was made to serve coffee in the home.

When coffee was first introduced in Britain, it was often strong, murky – even gritty. The coffee beans required roasting, grinding and brewing, so it was surpassed in popularity by tea. This was also imported, but simpler to prepare.

For this set Meissen produced both a coffee pot and a tea pot allowing for either to be served. Vessels for serving coffee are often tall, with a pert spout whereas those used for serving tea are shorter and rounder with a curving spout.

The most stand out elements of the pot and the set that it’s part of are its hand painted surface decoration and colour. It features a large green handle and leaves, big pink petals and a rosebud on its lid.

Few colours are as politically charged as pink. As its meaning has evolved over time, it’s often proven to be a mirror image of broader cultural changes in society. Although it’s widely considered to be a feminine colour, until the mid-1900s it was actually seen as masculine or genderless.

In ceramics, it was once a status symbol associated with opulence. The Sèvres factory in France, which overtook Meissen in the late 1700s, is also known for its pinks, as well as other rich colours such as green and royal blue.

You can see the coffee pot and other items from the Meissen set on display in 'People and Place: Art Collection Showcase' until 24 January 2024.

Thanks to Terah Walkup, art curator at The Box and www.artandobject.com.