This milk jug was made by the Loosdrecht manufactory in the Netherlands, using hard-paste porcelain. A complex material, it is created by firing a mixture of kaolin clay and petuntse stone at extremely high temperatures. Porcelain's appealing qualities include its pure white color, translucency, and strength. But these come at a cost. It is notoriously difficult to work, prone to warping and cracking during firing. The jug would have required considerable skill to form on the wheel, and its handle and spout carefully applied. The painted floral decoration, too, speaks to a high level of craftsmanship. And of course, the gilt trim adds a touch of luxury. Ultimately, this jug represents a key moment in the history of European ceramics. Loosdrecht and other factories were competing to replicate the prized porcelain of China. Appreciating the jug therefore means understanding the dynamics of trade, labor, and artistic ambition that shaped its creation.
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