“Stop to admire this porcelain krater vase, which isn't just a beautiful object but a finely painted landscape of 19th-century Potsdam, complete with a signature. It's a miniature window into a royal city, rendered with remarkable detail on a classical form.”
This elegant krater vase, made around 1820, captures a serene view of Potsdam, a city known for its royal palaces and gardens outside Berlin. The meticulously painted scene depicts a specific architectural landmark, likely a palace or significant building, set within a lush landscape. The artist's skill in rendering fine details is evident in the delicate brushwork that defines the trees, the reflections on the water, and the subtle atmospheric perspective. The vase itself, crafted from hard-paste porcelain, showcases the period's preference for classical forms, often inspired by ancient Greek and Roman pottery. This piece served not just as a decorative object but also as a testament to the artistry of its makers, transforming a functional vessel into a canvas for detailed landscape painting. The signed view adds a personal touch, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship and pride in its creation.
- Artist
- Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur
- Date
- 1820
- Medium
- Hard-paste porcelain
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- confirmed: 16 3/8 × 11 1/4 × 11 1/4 in. (41.6 × 28.6 × 28.6 cm)
- Collection
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Culture
- German, Berlin
- Credit line
- Gift of Richard Baron Cohen, 2019
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The signature beneath the landscape scene.
The delicate brushwork defining individual leaves on the trees.
The reflections of the architecture in the water.
The classical shape of the vase, inspired by ancient kraters.
1 more detail is waiting.
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Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur
Germany's second-oldest porcelain maker, crafting delicate wares from 1746 with their iconic wheel trademark.
Further Works by Porzellan-Manufaktur
Hunter with Hounds
1755 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bouillon bowl with cover
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Girl fleeing from a snake (one of a pair)
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Seated couple
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Plate with Lily of the Valley Tree (Clethra arborea)
1806 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cup and saucer with birds in micromosaic decoration
1812 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Lithophane
1837 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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