Oil pot 1732 - 1742

This ornate oil pot was made from porcelain at the Meissen Manufactory in Germany. These manufactories played a crucial role in shaping European artistic tastes. Notice how the pot is fashioned into a colorful rooster ridden by a smiling figure, who is hugging the functional part of the vessel. During this period, porcelain was known as 'white gold', and was a highly prized luxury commodity. The creation of Meissen signaled a shift in economic power away from Asia, as for the first time Europeans could produce their own. What does it mean to take this precious material and turn it into something so whimsical? The answer lies in understanding the role of the court, and the ways in which institutions can shape the production and reception of art. By looking at merchant records, royal inventories, and even fashion plates, we can start to understand the cultural context in which objects like these were made, traded, and consumed. This pot is more than just a container; it's a reflection of a society in flux.