Zwaan van veelkleurig beschilderd porselein, in montuur van brons c. 1748 - 1750

This is an anonymous porcelain swan, adorned with polychrome paint and mounted in bronze. During the time that this object was made, porcelain was an expensive material. The rarity of porcelain meant that only the upper classes could afford it, therefore, this swan was likely created for a wealthy person. We know the maker is anonymous, and with that we can assume that the maker was not as highly valued as the commissioner, which probably means that the commissioner was of a higher social class than the maker. The swan itself is a symbol of grace and beauty, which would have been particularly appealing during this time. With its whiteness and elegance, the swan embodies ideals that were, and continue to be, associated with elite femininity and beauty. What kind of politics does it create when an object embodies these standards?