Trojan War Porcelain Coffee Pot – Polyxena After Pittoni 20 cm

Description

This Trojan War porcelain coffee pot features a mythological scene depicting Polyxena before the tomb of Achilles. Standing 20 cm high, the covered vessel combines a colourful figurative medallion with extensive gilding and ornamental borders.

The French inscription beneath the scene reads “Polixène sacrifiée aux mânes d’Achille”, referring to Polyxena’s sacrifice in honour of the spirit of Achilles. The subject belongs to the tragic aftermath of the Trojan War.

Polyxena was a Trojan princess, the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. In the mythological account, she is sacrificed after the fall of Troy in honour of the dead Greek hero Achilles. Her story evokes the suffering of the defeated Trojan royal family and the human consequences of the legendary conflict.

The decoration is after Giambattista Pittoni’s composition known as Polyxena before the Tomb of Achilles, or The Sacrifice of Polyxena. The horizontal composition has been adapted to fit the upright oval medallion on the porcelain. Pittoni is the artist behind the pictorial source; the porcelain manufacturer and decorator remain unidentified.

The scene includes a helmeted warrior wearing a red cloak, Polyxena standing beside him, grieving figures and classical architecture. A burning vessel adds to the ceremonial atmosphere. The contrast between the warrior’s vivid red drapery and Polyxena’s pale clothing makes the central figures particularly prominent.

A gilt border with raised dots frames the medallion. Purple cartouches alternate with blue-green panels decorated with gold ornament. Narrow green bands containing small gilt flowers run around the body. The reverse carries further ornamental gilding against a pale ground.

The coffee pot has a tall body, an elongated spout and a large angular handle. Its matching decorated lid has an open loop finial. Gilding extends across the handle, lid finial and parts of the spout.

Trojan War porcelain: details

• Object: covered porcelain coffee pot.

• Origin: Czechoslovakia.

• Period: 20th century.

• Height: 20 cm.

• Material: porcelain.

• Decoration: polychrome mythological scene with gilding.

• Subject: the sacrifice of Polyxena at the tomb of Achilles.

• Pictorial source: after Giambattista Pittoni.

• Base markings: “CZECHOSLOVAKIA”, a blue shield-shaped mark and numbers.

• Manufacturer: unidentified.

• Lid included.

Condition

Visible wear and rubbing to the gilding, particularly on the handle, together with marks of use around the foot rim. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully for the surface condition, decoration and handle attachments.

This Trojan War porcelain coffee pot brings together classical mythology and decorative ceramics. Its narrative scene will appeal to collectors interested in Polyxena, Achilles, the legends of Troy and adaptations of European painting on porcelain.