Vintage Tureens: A Look at Porcelain and Faience Creations

A tureen is a large circular or oval serving bowl used primarily for soup or vegetables, often with a cover. They come in various forms. The finest examples are of porcelain, although faience (tin-glazed pottery) is also well-regarded for its quality and decoration.

Historical Significance and Design

Tureens became particularly notable during the Rococo period, characterized by elaborate and often whimsical designs. During this time, tureens were crafted in the shapes of various birds, animals, fish, vegetables, and fruits. This period’s designs were functional and ornamental, making tureens a centrepiece in dining presentations.

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Popular Rococo Tureen Designs:

• Birds: Cockerel, duck, swan, turkey, partridge, and woodcock.
• Animals: Rabbit and boar’s head (notably in Chinese export porcelain).
• Fish: Carp and coiled eel.
• Vegetables and Fruits: Marrow, asparagus bundles, cabbage, cauliflower, and a rare Derby model shaped like a bunch of grapes.

Notable Porcelain and Faience Tureens

• Chelsea Porcelain: Collectors highly seek these tureens for their craftsmanship and historical value. Chelsea’s tureens often embraced naturalistic forms, reflecting the Rococo era’s fascination with nature and whimsy. Notable examples include tureens shaped like rabbits, hens with chicks, and bundles of asparagus. These designs were decorative and served as conversation pieces during elaborate dining rituals. For instance, a tureen modelled as a bundle of asparagus, dating around 1756, is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
• Faience Tureens: High-quality faience models were produced in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Holitsch. These are notable for their detailed modelling and decoration. For instance, the Hannong family in Strasbourg was instrumental in advancing faience techniques. They introduced overglaze decorations that allowed for a broader palette of colours. These tureens often featured naturalistic motifs, such as floral patterns, animals, and pastoral scenes. These reflected the Rococo style’s emphasis on ornate and asymmetrical designs.

French Influence

The French term for a tureen is “soupière.” This influence is seen in the detailed and often extravagant designs typical of French dining ware during the Rococo period. For instance, a vintage French soupière in white ceramic might display plant designs. It might also be adorned with slip roses on the lid, exemplifying the Rococo penchant for naturalistic and ornate embellishments.

Related Tureen Types

Several specific types of tureens are noted for their unique designs and purposes:

• Sauce Tureen: A smaller tureen used specifically for serving sauces. The sauce tureen emerged in the 18th century as an alternative to the sauceboat. Early English examples were crafted in the Neoclassical style, reflecting the design aesthetics of the period. In the United States, sauce tureens became a staple in formal dining settings. They symbolized refinement and attention to detail in table presentation.
• Pigeon Tureen, Cock Tureen, Asparagus Tureen, Marrow Tureen: These terms specify the shape or the intended content of the tureen, highlighting the diversity in design and use.
• Cabbage Ware and Cauliflower Ware: These terms refer to tureens designed to resemble cabbages or cauliflowers. They were popular during the Rococo period and reproduced in later times.

Conclusion

Tureens are not just functional serving dishes but also works of art. They reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of their makers. Their historical and aesthetic value makes them treasured items for collectors and enthusiasts of decorative arts.

Sources

Savage, G., Newman, H. (1985). An Illustrated Dictionary of Ceramics: Defining 3,054 Terms Relating to Wares, Materials, Processes, Styles, Patterns, and Shapes from Antiquity to the Present Day. United Kingdom: Thames and Hudson.

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