Dish c. 1770

This oval dish was created by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, a British institution synonymous with luxury and fine craftsmanship. The dish, with its vibrant colors and intricate gilded details, reflects the 18th-century European fascination with Asian aesthetics. Notice how it appropriates and reimagines traditional Chinese motifs within a Western framework. The exotic landscapes and flora aren’t just decorative, they're imbued with colonial power dynamics. European consumers used these items to assert status and taste, while exoticizing and objectifying the cultures they referenced. The labor involved in creating such pieces often goes unacknowledged. Consider the skilled artisans, likely working in difficult conditions, whose expertise brought these visions to life. Ultimately, the dish invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between cultural exchange, artistic expression, and the socio-economic structures that shape our perceptions of beauty and value.