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Austrian Porcelain

Austrian Porcelain

In 1718, Claudius Innocentius Du Paquier established a porcelain manufactory in Vienna with a small group of partners. Rather than undertake lengthy and expensive experiments in the production of porcelain, he acquired the arcanum (the secrets of porcelain production) and key personnel from Meissen through stealth and bribery. Although Du Paquier did not have direct royal support and operated on a commercial basis, which made it inherently risky, the manufactory is known for its creativity. It survived for twenty-five years and was taken over by the Empress Maria Theresa in 1744, when it became the Imperial Manufactory.

The Gardiner Museum’s collection of Du Paquier porcelain was mostly assembled by George and Helen Gardiner and is among the top two public collections in North America. There is also a small collection of porcelain made at the Imperial Manufactory.

Collection Highlights
Pair of beakers and saucers
Artist / Maker: Claudius Innocentius du Paquier Factory
c.1720-1725
Object number: G83.1.578.1a-b -2a-b
Cylindrical mug
Artist / Maker: Claudius Innocentius du Paquier Factory
c.1720-1730
Object number: G83.1.787
Teapot
Artist / Maker: Claudius Innocentius du Paquier Factory
1720-1725
Object number: G83.1.823.1-.2
Tea bowl and saucer with scenes of battle
Artist / Maker: Claudius Innocentius du Paquier Factory
c.1725
Object number: G83.1.824.1-2