In 1719, Claude Innocentius du Paquier, a Dutchman, opened a porcelain manufactory in Vienna. Despite the fact that under his leadership the manufactory worked for only 25 years, it became famous for its interesting and high-quality products, and also competed with the workshops in Meissen. Du Paquier was inspired by the achievements of Meissen, and, having received the necessary privileges from Emperor Charles VI, who gave the right to produce porcelain of any type, the entrepreneur hired talented artists and managed to lure several craftsmen who worked for a competitor.
Having the necessary equipment at his disposal and having received porcelain recipes, Du Paquier began to produce dishes with images of European landscapes, hunting scenes, mythological scenes and floral patterns. Unfortunately, financially, the manufactory experienced great difficulties, operated at a loss, and in the end, Du Paquier sold it to Empress Maria Theresa in order to avoid bankruptcy. In the future, the management changed several times, the company lasted until 1864 under the name of the Vienna Porcelain Manufactory.
These boxes, made during the time of du Paquier, contain porcelain gambling chips. Each box is inlaid with gold and decorated with images of flowers and miniature landscapes. Playing cards are drawn on the inside of the lid of the largest box. Purple patterns are typical of the late Baroque. The beauty of the precious metal, several refined diamonds, unusual chips - we have before us one of the most extravagant works of its time, which was probably presented as a gift to an influential person.
Look for no less amazing exhibits in the "Ceramics, porcelain, glass" section on Violity.
