Gourmet Grandeur: 18th-Century Trompe-L'oeil Asparagus Tureen

Discover a charming and whimsical piece of 18th-century porcelain: a Trompe-L'oeil Asparagus Spears Tureen (or Box and Cover), likely originating from Thuringia, Germany, and dating from circa 1770-1800.

Dimensions: 3 1/4 inches high x 6 1/4 inches long x 4 inches deep (8.23 cm high x 15.88 cm long x 10.16 cm deep)

Design and Detail:

This exquisite piece is cleverly modeled and painted to realistically resemble a tightly bound bundle of asparagus spears. The spears are naturalistically modeled and hand-painted, primarily in rich greens and pinks, suggesting two different colors or stages of the vegetable (likely white and purple asparagus). The bundle is cinched together by a bright, molded blue ribbon that serves as the visual tie between the two halves (the box and the cover). The interior of the cover has the number "14" written on the unglazed inner rim.

Historical Context: The Whimsical Age of Porcelain

This tureen belongs to a distinct category of 18th-century European porcelain known as Trompe-L'oeil (deceive the eye) tableware. Originating primarily in German factories (such as Meissen, Höchst, and those in Thuringia), these pieces were created during the Rococo period to introduce an element of playfulness and novelty to the aristocratic dining table.

Rococo Wit: The use of vegetable, fruit, and animal forms was fashionable in royal and noble dining settings, where they often served to hold sauces, spices, or condiments, creating a sense of naturalistic abundance on the table.

Thuringian Origin: Porcelain factories in the Thuringian region of Germany (such as Wallendorf or Limbach) were known for producing fine tablewares and figures during this period, often characterized by a distinctive painting style and playful modeling, making this a highly probable source for this piece.

This asparagus tureen is a wonderful testament to the era's sophisticated humor and the technical skill required to model and paint such convincing, naturalistic forms in delicate hard-paste porcelain.

(Ref: NY10177-npmr)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition

Dimensions:
Height: 3.25 in.
Width: 6.25 in.
Depth: 4 in.

Category: Boxes
Origin: Germany
Materials: Porcelain

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $68.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: No International Shipping for this auction.

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Location: This item ships from Downingtown, PA

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition