Scent bottle 1725 - 1735

Curator: This exquisitely ornamented object is a Scent Bottle crafted from porcelain, dating from between 1725 and 1735. It’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: My first impression is just…wow, this is incredibly delicate. The landscape scenes framed within the Rococo design give it such a precious, jewel-like quality. It feels almost too precious to be used. Curator: Absolutely. We should note it’s Viennese porcelain, an extremely prized commodity at that time. Porcelain production was often tied to aristocratic patronage; can you imagine the hands, the labor, involved in achieving this level of detailed ornamentation? Consider how this piece signified status and access to luxury goods. Editor: It really does invite close examination of the various forms, which seem strategically arranged. Notice how the painterly landscape contrasts so dramatically with the surrounding linear elements like the filigree framework and sculptural female figures supporting it. What tension and artifice! Curator: Good point. And the narrative landscapes! Not merely decorative filler, but representations of owned properties and idealized scenery meant to denote power and land ownership. The landscapes depicted on it speak of a very particular socio-economic position. Editor: Do you think that's why the palette is also quite contained, mainly different tints and shades of violet? It gives the piece harmony and unity, with the brighter highlights defining the forms clearly and accentuating its small size. Curator: Precisely! The scale is not accidental; it’s an emblem of intimate ownership, controlled access to coveted items. I am interested in the distribution, sale and function of these rare objects and their meaning for owners and makers. Editor: In the end, the Scent Bottle achieves an enthralling blend of artistry, skill, and status. Curator: An extravagant reflection of the values and aspirations that underpinned its production and usage, which prompts me to question the nature of status symbols.