Pair of Vases (Pots Pourris à Bobèches) c. 1759

These porcelain "Pots Pourris à Bobèches," or vases, were crafted by Jean-Claude Duplessis. The vases feature idyllic scenes of courtship, framed by elaborate floral and latticework designs, all crowned with delicate porcelain flowers. These floral motifs carry echoes of the ancient Roman Floralia, festivals celebrating the blossoming of life and fertility. In these vases, flowers become more than mere decoration; they are symbols of love, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of existence. We also see echoes of the Garden of Love, a theme recurring across centuries, from medieval tapestries to Renaissance paintings. The subtle scent emanating from the "pots pourris" would have evoked, on a subconscious level, memories of gardens past, and the longing for an earthly paradise. The recurring symbol of flowers reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and art, constantly resurfacing and evolving through time.