18 Century Chinese Porcelain - Tankard - .950 silver

This piece is a particularly elegant 18th-century European silver-lidded porcelain beer mug (tankard).

18th-Century European Silver-Lidded Porcelain Beer Mug – Blue and White Floral Pattern

This rare piece is a beer mug (tankard) of European origin (probably Chinese porcelain produced for the Dutch or German market) dating to the early 18th century.
The handcrafted blue-and-white gilded porcelain body, combined with the silver lid and hinge mechanism, creates an elegant reflection of the "Chinoiserie" style of the period.

Design and Material

Body: Elegant peonies and lotus flowers in blue hues, hand-painted on fine white porcelain. These patterns reflect the aesthetics of China's Kangxi period and represent the "blue and white" style, which was highly acclaimed in Europe.

Lid and Hinge: The silver lid, with its masterfully carved floral motif, features an ivory or bone knob detail characteristic of the period. The inner surface of the lid retains its original patina due to the natural oxidation of time.

Handled Shape: The "tankard"-style shape, common among European drinking vessels, complements the aesthetics of the period.

Condition and Restoration

The piece has been broken over time and has undergone a masterful "kintsugi" (gold repair) repair.

This restoration adds both historical significance and aesthetic value to the piece.

The silver parts are preserved with their original patina, and the hinge mechanism is intact.

Estimated Period

Body: Kangxi-era Chinese porcelain (1662–1722) or early 18th-century Delft porcelain made in this style in Europe.

Lid: Mid-18th-century European silversmithing (probably of German or Dutch origin).

Dimensions (approximately)

Height: 17–18 cm

Mouth diameter: 7 cm

Width (with handle): 12 cm

Artistic and Collectible Value

These porcelain-silver fusion pieces reflect the synthesis of Eastern and Western art. Chinese porcelain, imported to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, was highly sought after by the aristocracy of the time and, often complemented by silver lids, became a symbol of table luxury.
Today, such pieces hold high aesthetic and historical value for both collectors of antique porcelain and enthusiasts of European decorative arts.