Coffee-service

Friedrich Höcke, Pirkenhammer, Czech Republic, before 1810

Glazed white porcelain, vibrant painted and gilt details.

H: 15.3 cm (coffee-pot)

Markings: HK in gold

UMP 11529

Donated to the collection by František Svidenský in 1933.

This smooth, cylindrical coffee-service with a kicked loop handle presents the most popular type of porcelain tableware produced in Bohemia in the early 19th century. With simple moulding based on the Neoclassical style, the smooth surface of this “Viennese” form provides plenty of space for the exquisite painted decoration that started to fully blossom in Pirkenhammer at the time. The not entirely flawless porcelain material, which almost entirely lacks translucency and is strongly coloured with cobalt in places, nevertheless features a number of superb miniature paintings with views of the Dutch landscape. The tiny paintings in the set were based on a variety of sources. Maritime scenes with sailboats, fishing boats, and traders are inspired by subjects used in 18th century Meissen porcelain; other scenes offer romantic views of the landscape. (lmp)