Pair of vases 1835 - 1855

Editor: Standing before us are a pair of ceramic vases, dating from between 1835 and 1855. They're currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I find their Rococo style fascinating, with the sculpted dragons and floral ornaments, but one looks rather more elaborate than the other. What can you tell me about them? Curator: These porcelain vases reflect the rise of decorative arts in the 19th century and their crucial function in articulating wealth and status. Note how the emphasis is on elaborate craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal, more than pure functionality. How might their original display context - perhaps in a lavish home - shaped their design? Editor: That makes me think about how these vases would have been commissioned and consumed, acting as a marker for upper-class identity in their domestic space. Is the relative difference between the two vases a comment on the idea of excess or fashion at the time? Curator: Perhaps. It could also be linked to the individual tastes of patrons who commissioned pieces, the different hands and styles of artisans who produced them, or even simply reflect evolving styles and trends. Were they commissioned for a specific event, and what narratives, social codes, or cultural references can you find expressed? Editor: That makes me think about the relationship between art, patronage, and social display during this period. I'm starting to see these vases not just as pretty objects, but also as social documents! Curator: Precisely! Recognizing how historical forces shape objects allows us to critically evaluate taste, consumption, and the complex networks in which these were circulated and received.