Beaker and Saucer thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Beaker and Saucer

ca. 1720-27 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Beakers of this tall tapering shape can be seen in paintings and engravings dating from ca. 1690-1750 depicting people drinking chocolate. Purified chocolate mixed with sugar and diluted with boiling water was a popular drink for those who could afford it. It could be varied by mixing it with an egg before frothing it up with a swizzle stick, or alternatively adding hot milk or wine, all of which were said to have beneficial medicinal effects.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Coffee Cup
  • Saucer
Materials and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain painted in enamels
Brief description
Beaker and saucer, hard-paste porcelain painted in enamels, Vezzi porcelain factory, Venice, Italy, ca. 1720-27
Physical description
Beaker and saucer in hard-paste porcelain painted in lime green, yellow and red enamels with Chinoiserie.
Style
Credit line
Presented by Lt. Col. K. Dingwall, DSO with Art Fund support
Subjects depicted
Summary
Beakers of this tall tapering shape can be seen in paintings and engravings dating from ca. 1690-1750 depicting people drinking chocolate. Purified chocolate mixed with sugar and diluted with boiling water was a popular drink for those who could afford it. It could be varied by mixing it with an egg before frothing it up with a swizzle stick, or alternatively adding hot milk or wine, all of which were said to have beneficial medicinal effects.
Collection
Accession number
C.411&A-1918

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Record createdJanuary 27, 2009
Record URL
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