Meissen “Blue Onion” (Zwiebelmuster) Cup and Saucer

An icon of European porcelain heritage, this Meissen “Blue Onion” cup and saucer is a quintessential example of 18th-century design enduring through centuries of refinement. The scalloped rim and delicately hand-painted cobalt motifs — pomegranates, bamboo shoots, and asters — reveal the cross-cultural dialogue between East Asian artistry and German craftsmanship.

The “Blue Onion” (Zwiebelmuster) pattern, first introduced by Meissen around 1739, was inspired by Chinese Ming porcelain and reinterpreted with European botanical symbolism. The result is a timeless balance between precision, symmetry, and natural grace — a hallmark of Meissen’s enduring aesthetic.