Cupid on a donkey 1760 - 1770

Curator: Editor: This is "Cupid on a Donkey," a porcelain sculpture created by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory between 1760 and 1770. It's a small, charming piece. I'm curious about what strikes you most when you first look at this object? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the porcelain itself. Think about the labour involved in creating this object - the mining of the raw materials, the specialized knowledge of the artisans to achieve the translucence, and the meticulous painting. It transcends mere decoration. It becomes an emblem of eighteenth-century trade, technology, and social class. Don’t you think the consumption of such elaborate porcelain figures was a powerful signal of status? Editor: Absolutely, especially when you consider the rococo style, that's so decadent! Were pieces like this purely ornamental, or were they functional too? Curator: That’s an important question! While primarily decorative, objects like these sometimes served a dual purpose. Notice the inclusion of "Sont mes Disciples" written on the banner - these pieces were definitely used to reflect particular status. So it's really revealing to explore porcelain’s position within a larger network of production and consumerism at that time. How do you feel about the scale of the work, does the fact that it is miniature change your opinion on its inherent symbolism? Editor: That makes perfect sense. Looking at the piece again through that lens gives me a fresh perspective on its inherent symbolism - this work can really reflect cultural values and social hierarchies present in the era, but at such a small scale. Curator: Exactly. Seeing it in terms of its making helps us to understand it's social role. It's an interesting combination isn't it? Editor: Definitely, considering the craftsmanship and the market that was developing. Thanks for showing me the materiality behind the glamour!