Tray c. 1700 - 1720

This beautiful faience tray was made by the Rouen Potteries, using tin-glazed earthenware. That means it’s made of relatively coarse clay coated with an opaque white glaze. The decoration is painted by hand, in a cobalt oxide pigment, which yields that characteristic brilliant blue when fired. Rouen was one of the first places in France to produce this kind of ware, in the 17th century. They were directly inspired by Chinese porcelain, which was much admired and extremely expensive in Europe at the time. So this tray represents an early effort to copy a luxury commodity, using local materials and skills. The process is labor intensive, involving shaping, glazing, painting, and firing. The relatively high cost of these wares reflected that investment of time and skill. So, while this tray may seem simple and charming, it is tied to a much wider story of global trade, emulation, and the economics of craft production. Appreciating the time and expertise that went into it challenges our traditional distinction between decorative and fine art.