Plate with Lily of the Valley Tree (Clethra arborea)

Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur, 1806

MEDIUMHard-paste porcelain
DIMENSIONSconfirmed: 1 5/16 × 9 7/16 × 9 7/16 in. (3.3 × 24 × 24 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONEuropean Sculpture and Decorative Arts
CULTUREGerman, Berlin
CREDIT LINEGift of Richard Baron Cohen, 2019

Stop and admire this exquisite porcelain plate from 1806, featuring a beautifully detailed lily of the valley tree. It's a testament to the era's fascination with botanical accuracy and the artistry of fine porcelain manufacturing.

Get the full experience in Art Whisper
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
ABOUT THIS WORK

This porcelain plate, crafted in 1806, showcases a botanical marvel: a lily of the valley tree. The central image, meticulously rendered in polychrome enamels, depicts the tree (Clethra arborea) with its delicate white blossoms and verdant leaves, filling the plate's circular canvas. Such detailed botanical illustrations were highly prized in the early 19th century, reflecting a growing interest in natural history and scientific classification. The Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur, known for its fine hard-paste porcelain, executed this piece with precision, allowing the vibrant colors to stand out against the pristine white ground. Beyond its decorative appeal, the plate served as a functional yet luxurious item, part of a dining culture that valued both artistry and utility. Its elegant simplicity allows the botanical subject to take center stage, inviting close inspection of each leaf and petal.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The delicate white bell-shaped flowers of the lily of the valley tree.

2

The subtle shading on the green leaves, giving them a lifelike quality.

3

The way the tree branches naturally curve to fit the plate's circular form.

2 more details waiting — unlock in Art Whisper
Audio Deep Dive

Stop and admire this exquisite porcelain plate from 1806, featuring a beautifully detailed lily of the valley tree. It's a testament to the era's fascination w…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur

Germany's second-oldest porcelain maker, crafting delicate wares from 1746 with their iconic wheel trademark.

Read Höchster's full story in Art Whisper
See something wrong?
Open the App