Vase from a garniture c. 1830

This vase, part of a garniture, is currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its anonymous maker crafted it from porcelain to emphasize a vertical orientation. The upward surge is reinforced by leaf-like extensions that transition from a robust base to delicate, looping handles. The vase's surface is awash with floral motifs. The lower section features painted blooms, whereas the upper portion showcases three-dimensional porcelain flowers, creating a complex interplay between representation and reality. The use of color and texture is carefully considered. The vibrant hues of the flowers pop against the white porcelain, and the application of gold trim highlights the vase's contours, further enhancing the visual spectacle. The vase’s design speaks to the cultural values and aesthetic preferences that prized elaborate ornamentation and refined craftsmanship. The emphasis on decorative excess suggests an engagement with ideas of luxury. Observe the vase's transformative potential in how it takes familiar forms and elevates them into a realm of fantasy and artifice.