The Ema Klabin House Museum

Paulo de Freitas Costa

European Porcelain in the Ema Klabin Collection

A brief history of the Evolution of porcelain in the European Continent between the 18th e 20th centuries.

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Tureen with presentoir (Séc. XIX) by UnknownThe Ema Klabin House Museum

European Porcelain in the Ema Klabin Collection

As with so many collectors, Ema Klabin allowed herself to be seduced by the fascination and sophistication of porcelain, present in the décor of every space in her home. Of this selection, the important Chinese porcelain stands out the most, with many of the items belonging to the services brought by Dom João VI on his arrival to Brazil, in 1808.

Oil Container (Séc IX a.c)The Ema Klabin House Museum

Flagon (1629) by ASF (initials)The Ema Klabin House Museum

Cup with lid and saucer (1765) by Manufacture nationale de Sèvres; André Vincent Vieillard (painter).The Ema Klabin House Museum

In parallel, however, Ema also amassed a sizeable collection of European porcelain, ranging from collector’s items to pieces of a sentimental nature – bought in her youth or inherited from her mother –, in addition to the services used at her parties and daily life at the house.

Couple of shepherds (c. 1760) by Volkstedt porcelain manufactory; Georg Heinrich Macheleid (sculptor).The Ema Klabin House Museum

Inkwell Inkwell, Unknown, Séc. XIX, From the collection of: The Ema Klabin House Museum
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Inkwell Inkwell (Séc. XIX) by UnknownThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Inkwell Inkwell (Séc. XIX) by UnknownThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Inkwell Inkwell (Séc. XIX) by UnknownThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Kettle with réchaud (c. 1760) by Meissen porcelain manufactoryThe Ema Klabin House Museum

The most valuable items were originally exhibited in two alcoves at the back of the dining room, covered by wooden panels carved by Mestre Valentim, while the others were kept in a large cabinet in the corridor to the kitchen.

Bottles for perfume (c. 1840) by Jacob PetitThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Candlestick (c. 1930) by C. G. Schierholz und SohnThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Tea or chocolate set (tête-a-tête) (1775) by Manufacture nationale de SèvresThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Tray (Séc. XIX) by Meissen porcelain manufactoryThe Ema Klabin House Museum

This exhibition intends to invert this order by occupying the social areas of the house with a selection of 39 items made in Sèvres, Berlin, Vienna, Meissen, Limoges and Coalport, among others.

Tea set (1928-1942) by André FrançoisThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Souce boat (1903-1911) by William Guérin et CompagnieThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Cup and saucer (Trembleuse) (1774-1785) by Vienna Porcelain Manufactory; Claudius Innocentius Du Parquier (sculptor).The Ema Klabin House Museum

The idea is to provide a narrative backdrop to the fascinating history of European porcelain that, beyond the pieces’ aesthetic and functional aspects, reveal much of the spirit, habits and customs of their time.

Cup with lid and saucer Cup with lid and saucer (1920-1930) by Royal Porcelain Manufactory BerlinThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Cup with lid and saucer Cup with lid and saucer (1920-1930) by Royal Porcelain Manufactory BerlinThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Cup and saucer, Vienna Porcelain Manufactory, 1828-1830, From the collection of: The Ema Klabin House Museum
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Cup and saucer, Vienna Porcelain Manufactory (?), Séc. XVIII (?), From the collection of: The Ema Klabin House Museum
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Cup with lid, saucer and dish, Unknown, Séc. XIX, From the collection of: The Ema Klabin House Museum
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Cup with saucer and dish, Rue de la Roquette; Jerôme Vincent Dubois (?), 1774-1790, From the collection of: The Ema Klabin House Museum
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Teapot (1934-1940) by Meissen porcelain manufactoryThe Ema Klabin House Museum

Credits: Story

Curator: Paulo de Freitas Costa
Research and production: Daniele Paro e Wipsley Mesquita
Restoration: Carmen Rick
Visual communication: Henrique Godinho e Lívia Silva
Photography: Henrique Luz e Isabella Matheus
Reviewer: Luiz Fukushiro
English translation: Henrik Carbonnier

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.