Sugar box with cover 1714 - 1730

This is a porcelain sugar box with a cover, made in the early 18th century by the Meissen Manufactory. The box embodies the cultural and economic history of its time, reflecting Europe's growing obsession with exotic goods and the rise of manufacturing institutions. The delicate floral and avian motifs were inspired by Chinese and Japanese porcelain, which were highly sought after by European elites. Meissen, the first European factory to produce hard-paste porcelain, capitalized on this demand. The inclusion of such luxury commodities reflected the consumerism of the wealthy during the 18th century. Historical research into trade routes, the biographies of factory workers, and studies of aristocratic households, are the kind of resources we use to understand the relationship between artistic production, social status and material culture. These investigations reveal the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.