Dish with flower sprays and insects c. 1790 - 1800

This is a delicate, hand-painted dish with flower sprays and insects made by the Chantilly manufactory. These kinds of luxury items were a reflection of the values and pastimes of the upper classes. Porcelain dishes like this one capture a moment in time, where dining became a display of wealth and status. Beyond their practical use, they showcase an interest in nature and the exotic. Porcelain was, itself, a symbol of global trade and colonial power. Its creation involved the exploitation of resources and labor in various parts of the world. The floral motifs, rendered in soft blues, evoke a sense of refined elegance, a sought-after aesthetic in aristocratic circles. The dish invites us to consider the relationship between art, power, and nature. It prompts questions about who had access to such beauty, and at what cost.