Mustard pot with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap c. 1790 - 1800

The mustard pot with the coat of arms of Hendrik Peter Godfried Quack and Isabella Gertraud von Carnap was made by E. Blancheron. The pot presents a striking visual interplay of white porcelain and gilded decoration. The eye is drawn to the meticulously applied gold leaf that intricately winds around the pot's surface, accentuating its curves and edges. Notice how the pot’s shape—a truncated cone atop a small pedestal—creates a sense of elevation and formality. The gilded coat of arms and floral patterns are not merely decorative; they are signifiers of status, heraldry, and perhaps even a subtle nod to the natural world, all rendered through the semiotic language of design. The contrast between the pristine white and opulent gold destabilizes conventional notions of utility and luxury. Consider the way the artist employs contrast not only in color but also in texture—the smooth porcelain against the subtly raised gold—to invite a multi-sensory appreciation. This mustard pot invites ongoing re-evaluation of the values we place on objects of everyday life.