● On view now — Gallery 234
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026
FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
By the 17th century, many European nations were trading heavily in the Orient, importing such products as tea, chocolate, furniture, silk, and porcelain. The discovery in the 18th century of the secret method the Chinese used to make porcelain was one of the most important achievements of the royal Meissen porcelain factory near Dresden. The tureen from this centerpiece and stand with a pair of sugar casters, designed by Meissen's chief modeler, Johann Joachim Kändler, would have been filled with lemons. Very sculptural in quality, the ensemble is animated with Oriental figures, Buddhas, imaginary birds, antique masks, flowers, and insects.
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Bow Porcelain Factory — Figure of Asia
Bow Porcelain Factory — Turkish Figure, Sweetmeat Dish
Chelsea Porcelain Factory — Boy with Dog
Germany, Hessen-Kassel (Landgraviate) — Turkish Girl
Chelsea Porcelain Factory — Potpourri Vase with Shepherd
Derby Porcelain Manufactory — Allegorical Figure of Europe
England, Yorkshire — Vase
Chelsea Porcelain Factory — Potpourri Vase with Shepherdess
Bow Porcelain Factory — Turkish Figure, Sweetmeat Dish
Nevers, France — Queen
Pierre François Lejeune — Figural Group
England, Yorkshire — Vase