Pair of Covered Jars (Pots de tabac), France, c. 1779–89

Pair of Covered Jars (Pots de tabac), France, c. 1779–89 is an object recorded by Cleveland Museum of Art, dated c. 1779–89. Museum description: Due to the discovery of the ingredient kaolin in Saint-Yrieix, France in 1768-69, European porcelain factories were able to replicate the prized hard-paste porcelain of China and Japan. In the years following, many porcelain factories opened in the area, including Faubourg Saint-Denis in 1772. These jars, sold alone or in sets, would have stored snuff, powdered tobacco meant to be inhaled, or loose tobacco for smoking. The museum record gives material recorded as Hard-paste porcelain with enamel and gilt decoration; metal mount; measurements Diameter: 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); Overall: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.); place associated: France; maker recorded: Faubourg Saint-Denis (French). These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.