Children gathering fruit 1760 - 1770

This is a porcelain scent bottle, made around 1765 at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in England. The scene of children gathering fruit offers a glimpse into the rococo era's fascination with pastoral themes. These idealized images of rural life were popular among the urban elite, who saw the countryside as a place of leisure and innocence. But it's important to remember the social context of this piece. The Chelsea factory, like many others, relied on the labor of skilled artisans, often working in harsh conditions, to create these luxury goods for wealthy consumers. Art historians can look at factory records, period documents, and other sources to understand better the relationship between the decorative arts and the broader economic and social structures of 18th-century England. These objects reflect a complex web of social relations and cultural values.