Tankard 1720 - 1735

This is a porcelain tankard with a gilded silver cover, made by the Meissen Manufactory. It presents a striking contrast between the lustrous metal and the smooth, white porcelain adorned with vividly colored figures. The tankard's form is defined by horizontal bands of ornamentation, framing scenes of stylized figures and flora. This creates a structured composition which directs the eye around the cylindrical body. The scenes, while seemingly representational, are infused with artifice, challenging our notions of cultural authenticity. The very act of imitating Asian motifs on European porcelain is a sign that disrupts established categories. The tankard becomes not just a drinking vessel, but also a complex signifier of cultural exchange. It embodies the semiotic interplay of imitation and reinterpretation. It asks us to consider how objects participate in broader discourses of power, trade, and artistic appropriation.