Covered Gravy Boat with Stand c. 1865

This is a Covered Gravy Boat with Stand made from porcelain at the Minton's Pottery and Porcelain Factory. Its gleaming white surface acts as a canvas for a complex interplay of color and form. Bands of fiery red and intricate gold filigree create a visual rhythm around the rims of each piece, drawing the eye into the fine details. The composition, with its careful arrangement of lines and shapes, evokes both luxury and order. The circular forms are repeated and are not merely decorative but function as a structured language, creating an elaborate semiotic system. The images of a merman and mermaids, classical motifs within circular cartouches, indicate a deep engagement with tradition. Here, the tension between surface ornamentation and underlying structure speaks to broader philosophical concerns about the relationship between appearance and essence. Each layer invites not just aesthetic enjoyment but also intellectual inquiry, challenging viewers to explore the codes and conventions that shape our perception and understanding of beauty.