Gardener and boy in a group 1760 - 1770

This is an exquisite porcelain sculpture, made by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in the mid-18th century. At first glance, the sculpture presents a composition of two boys intertwined with a vase overflowing with flowers. The piece's overall form is curvilinear, with the figures' bodies gently arching to support the vase. The colour palette is soft, dominated by pastel shades of pink, blue, and green, evoking a sense of pastoral harmony. The sculpture destabilizes conventional notions of support and structure. The boys, typically symbols of youthful energy, appear to be burdened by the vase, their forms almost merging with it. This merging challenges the clear separation of figure and object, suggesting a dynamic relationship. The vase, laden with flowers, represents an abundance that relies on the boys' support. Note how the sculpture plays with asymmetry and balance, the careful arrangement of forms and colors guiding our eye through the narrative. The Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory's work invites us to question the fixed meanings we ascribe to objects, labour, and value.