Spoon — Die Leiden des jungen Werther, Meissen, ca. 1790
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1790
Spoon in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 1328K-1871), made in Meissen, dated ca. 1790, attributed to Schubert, Johann David. The museum's brief description reads: Spoon from a breakfast service, porcelain painted in enamel colours with scenes from Goethe's Sorrows of Young Werther, and gilt; probably painted by Johann David Schubert, made by Meissen porcelain factory, Germany, ca.
1790. Museum description: A spoon, part of a breakfast service. Decorated with scenes in round or oval medallions from Die Leiden des jungen Werther [The Sorrows of Young Werther], a novel written in 1774 by Johann Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832). The museum records it as Hard paste porcelain painted in enamel colours and gilt, measuring Length 10.16 cm; Height 1.4 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Goethe's novel, The Sorrows of Young Werther became a bestseller soon after its publication. The story parallels elements of Goethe's own experience. Werther falls in love with Lotte, a 19 year old who has already been engaged for four years to Albert, a man 11 years her senior. After failing to distance himself from Lotte and his futile love for her, Werther finally chooses suicide as his only release from his torment.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- hard paste porcelain
- Dimensions
- Length 10.16 cm; Height 1.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Hard paste porcelain painted in enamel colours and gilt
- Maker recorded
- Schubert, Johann David
- Place recorded
- Meissen
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- Crossed swords with a star; '42' and a large '3'; '4' and 'BI'; '12 and '13'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Spoon
- Museum object number
- 1328K-1871
- Museum system number
- O97845
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.