The Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum is the newest world-class facility at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Its extensive collection of artwork visualizes and celebrates the connection between art and nature. The museum contains objects dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries, including works by noted artists Pierre-Joseph Redouté, Dorothy Doughty, Diane Lewis and Trailer McQuilkin.
Tea, coffee and chocolate pots produced by historically significant porcelain manufacturers like Meissen, Royal Copenhagen and Herend emphasize that nature and porcelain objects have always been intertwined. Other collections in the expansive museum further highlight the museum’s mission to nurture a lasting connection to nature through decorative arts.
The Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum is made possible through the generosity of longtime patron Deen Day Sanders, and its collection represents nearly half a century of her avid interest in fine porcelain and her lifetime love of gardens and nature.
Examples of Chinese Export Porcelain, 18th century.
Examples of Chinese Export Porcelain, 18th century.
Staff photo.
Dorothy Doughty (1892–1962) for Royal Worcester, Northern Cardinals and Orange Blossoms, 1937, bone china.
Dorothy Doughty (1892–1962) for Royal Worcester, Northern Cardinals and Orange Blossoms, 1937, bone china.
Staff photo.
Royal Copenhagen, Flora Danica Dinner, Luncheon, and Bread and Butter Plates, ca. 1870–1991, porcelain.
Royal Copenhagen, Flora Danica Dinner, Luncheon, and Bread and Butter Plates, ca. 1870–1991, porcelain.
Staff photo.
Chris Ashenden for Connoisseur of Malvern, Royal Bengal Tiger, 20th century, bone china.
Chris Ashenden for Connoisseur of Malvern, Royal Bengal Tiger, 20th century, bone china.
Staff photo.
Aileen Burton for Connoisseur of Malvern, Aster, c. 1990, bone china.
Aileen Burton for Connoisseur of Malvern, Aster, c. 1990, bone china.
Staff photo.
Trailer McQuilkin (b. 1947), Detail of White-mouth Dayflower, 1986, copper, paint, and natural materials.
Trailer McQuilkin (b. 1947), Detail of White-mouth Dayflower, 1986, copper, paint, and natural materials.
Staff photo.
Connoisseur of Malvern, Examples of Brown Thrasher and Cherokee Rose from the Georgia Room, 20th century, bone china.
Connoisseur of Malvern, Examples of Brown Thrasher and Cherokee Rose from the Georgia Room, 20th century, bone china.
Staff photo.
Imari Tea Cup with Geisha Lithophane, 19th century, Nigoshide Japanese porcelain.
Imari Tea Cup with Geisha Lithophane, 19th century, Nigoshide Japanese porcelain.
Staff photo.
Deen Day Sanders Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum Lecture Series
The Deen Day Sanders Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum Lecture for 2025 features Copenhagen-based Jamie Lago, who discusses the rich and lengthy history of the Flora Danica dinner service. Lago worked for Royal Copenhagen, the producers of Flora Danica, for more than 22 years before beginning her own business called “Danica Experience.” Through “Danica Experience,” Lago has continued to share her passion for the exquisite dinner service. Click below to watch the lecture.
To view the 2023 Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum lecture, click here.