Saucer 1725 - 1735

Editor: Here we have a beautiful porcelain saucer made by the Meissen Manufactory, sometime between 1725 and 1735. I'm immediately drawn to the delicate floral patterns. What does this piece tell you about the period in which it was made? Curator: Consider the materials first: porcelain itself was a coveted technology, almost alchemical in its creation. Meissen's breakthrough in replicating hard-paste porcelain held immense economic power. It was no longer simply an object, but a signifier of status obtained through specific means of production and labor. Think about the highly skilled laborers needed to produce this item in quantity for widespread usage among elites. What implications does this have? Editor: So, it's less about the beauty of the flowers and more about the porcelain itself and what it represents, right? The skill and labor involved… almost like a brand statement of the era? Curator: Precisely! These porcelains allowed elites access to luxury goods, furthering both conspicuous consumption, colonial projects to source the materials, and supporting merchant networks. It speaks volumes about consumption habits during the early 18th century and how deeply connected aesthetics are with industry. Consider who used this object, and what were they signifying? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before; focusing on who benefited from the materials and craftsmanship that went into its creation rather than just admiring its visual appeal. Curator: Art objects, like this saucer, weren’t passively consumed. It demands engagement with questions surrounding production, and that fundamentally alters our perspective on its value. How would you view all art after thinking of labor, capital, and value exchange that resulted in their creations? Editor: That's a great way to reflect upon the impact of the production pipeline and consumption value of artworks. Now I'll be more conscious of the materials involved! Thanks for shifting my understanding of it.