Parrot 1730 - 1735

The Meissen Manufactory, established in the early 18th century, crafted this porcelain parrot. Porcelain, a high-status material due to its demanding production, dictated the creation of this piece. The process began with finely ground materials, molded and fired at intense temperatures, to achieve a smooth, white surface with crisp details. This Parrot demanded highly skilled artisans, as seen in the meticulously painted feathers and precise detailing of the bird’s anatomy. The material's inherent qualities - its smoothness, translucence, and ability to hold fine details - give the Parrot a lifelike quality. The creation of porcelain objects like this reflected the dawn of industrial-scale production, and the intense labor required. This parrot embodies the intersection of craft, design, and nascent capitalism, demonstrating the cultural significance and the labor-intensive processes behind such objects. Ultimately, understanding the work requires understanding the material, the making, and its context.