Vase with cover 1735 - 1745

This vase with cover was made by the Ansbach Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory sometime between 1758 and 1860. The vase is made out of earthenware and the design is painted with glaze, before being fired to fix it. What is interesting about this vase is the contrast between the Western material and the Eastern subject matter. Ansbach was one of many European companies that produced pottery in the style of Chinese porcelain. It was meant to evoke the exoticism of the East. It is not only the imagery that is important, but also the labour involved, with expert artisans needed to realize the delicate forms. This speaks to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, and the amount of work involved in the production process. Appreciating the skill and labour interwoven in this vase challenges traditional distinctions between the fine and decorative arts.