Mand, beschilderd met een veelkleurig bloemboeket c. 1778 - 1782

This basket, made in Loosdrecht, is formed from delicate porcelain, painted with a colorful array of flowers. The material is key here. Porcelain, a refined type of ceramic, speaks to a culture of luxury and sophistication. Look closely and you will see that the basket is intricately constructed. The fine lattice work, the delicate floral appliques - all of these elements would have demanded skilled labor, and considerable time in the making. Porcelain production was, and remains, a complex process, involving precise firing temperatures and careful handling. The painting, too, is meticulously executed, each flower rendered with naturalistic detail. Objects like this speak to the intersection of craft and industry. While rooted in skilled handwork, porcelain production was also an enterprise, with workers producing for a market eager for beautiful, refined goods. Appreciating this basket means recognizing the craftsmanship that went into its creation, as well as its place within a wider system of production and consumption.