Scent bottle 1735 - 1745

This porcelain scent bottle in the form of a Harlequin was made at the Meissen Manufactory in Germany. Meissen was the first European factory to successfully produce hard-paste porcelain, like the kind that had been imported from China for centuries. Augustus the Strong, the Elector of Saxony, founded the factory in 1710, as part of his strategy to consolidate power through courtly display. This scent bottle represents a stock character from the Italian Commedia dell'arte. Harlequin was a roguish servant, known for his acrobatic movements and colorful costume. In the 18th century, figures like Harlequin became popular as luxury goods, often collected by aristocrats and displayed in elaborate cabinets. We can learn more about this object by considering the history of the Meissen factory itself, the social role of porcelain in the 18th century, and the performance history of the Commedia dell'arte. These types of research help us understand the complex relationship between art, culture, and power.