Image

A white, pink, green, and gilded tea set with floral decorations and consists of four vessels and a tray. The traveling case with a black exterior and red fabric interior.
Previous image 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 / 32 Next image

Unknown Maker, French

Travelling Chocolate Set

Description

Maker

Unknown Maker, French

Culture

French

Title

Travelling Chocolate Set

Year

ca. 1870

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

porcelain

Dimensions

14.3 x 40 cm (5 5/8 x 15 3/4 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Monogramed:MA

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Viall, Jr.

Object Number

81.224

Type

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Trading Earth
Ceramics, Commodities, and Commerce
Apr 09, 2022 – Jul 20, 2025

Label copy

The sweet Western beverage now called hot chocolate was first a South and Central American frothy brew of roasted cocoa-bean paste, chili peppers, vanilla, spices, and water. Chocolate played a central role in Mayan and Aztec spiritual, political, and economic matters, with cocoa beans sometimes traded as currency. As chocolate made its way to Europe, sugar and cream were added, creating a drink that was enjoyed socially from specialized ceramic services.

Related Publications

Related Publications

Use & Feedback

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, French
Travelling Chocolate Set, ca. 1870
Porcelain with enamels and gilding
14.3 x 40 cm (5 5/8 x 15 3/4 inches)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Viall, Jr. 81.224

To request new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.