Hot milk jug 1770 - 1780

This hot milk jug was made in Germany by the Höchst Manufactory. This jug gives insight into the social life of the European elite. In the 18th century, the rise of coffee houses and tea ceremonies created a demand for specialized vessels like this one. Drinking hot milk became fashionable. The jug’s delicate porcelain body and elaborate decoration speak to the refined tastes of its intended audience. Note the pastoral scene with fowl that evokes a sense of rural tranquility. This reflects the romanticized view of nature held by the aristocracy. Porcelain factories were often sponsored by royal families, like the manufactory in Höchst, near Frankfurt. These institutions had a big impact on the economy, and they also gave artists a place to try new things. We can learn more about the social and economic world of eighteenth-century Europe by looking at the records and designs of the porcelain factories.