Scent bottle 1755 - 1765

This porcelain scent bottle was created by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in the mid-18th century. Its egg-like form, standing just under three inches tall, immediately draws the eye with its delicate curves and pastel hues. The bottle is cradled by a metallic stand, accentuating its smooth, tactile surface. The structure of the piece plays with the semiotics of luxury and nature. The egg shape, traditionally associated with fertility and new beginnings, is elevated through the refined materials of porcelain and precious metalwork. A band of ornate detailing encircles the midsection, dividing the muted lower half from the upper portion adorned with subtle floral motifs. The stopper, resembling a sprouting bud, caps the composition, reinforcing the theme of organic growth and transformation. The combination of these elements challenges the rigid categories of natural and artificial, suggesting an object of desire that is both precious and ephemeral. In this way the form destabilizes established notions by encouraging the viewer to see a convergence of nature and artifice.