Bowl with cover 1760 - 1770

This covered bowl was crafted by the Meissen Manufactory. Its circular form and monochrome decoration invite a formal analysis, focusing on the interplay between shape and image. The bowl’s surface acts as a canvas for miniature landscapes. Note the use of black paint to depict scenes of birds amidst foliage. These images, while decorative, also invite a semiotic reading: birds often symbolize freedom or fragility. The cover, mirroring the bowl's shape, completes the spherical form while extending the landscape upwards. Consider how the stark contrast between the white porcelain and black illustrations affects our perception. The lack of color reduces the scene to its basic elements, emphasizing line and form. This piece is not merely functional, but a complex arrangement of shapes, symbols, and aesthetic choices that invite ongoing interpretation.