Figure of a harlequin c. 1744 - 1749

This figure of a harlequin was made from porcelain by the Kaiserliche Porzellanmanufaktur. Porcelain is created by mixing kaolin clay with other materials, then firing it at high temperatures. The process gives it a distinctive, bright white color and a smooth surface. But it also makes it quite brittle. This figure is an example of ceramic sculpture. The material has allowed for a high level of detail, capturing the harlequin's mischievous expression and the folds of his clothing. What interests me most about porcelain is the way that it seems so refined, even though it is made through intensive labor. From mining the raw materials to molding, firing, and glazing the final product, many hands were involved in the making of this harlequin. In this context, porcelain transcends its function as a mere decorative object. Instead, it becomes an expression of both artistic skill and industrial production. The figure invites us to consider the social and economic structures that underpin its creation, and to reconsider the boundary between art and craft.