Lover's Quarrel 1750 - 1764

This small sculpture, Lover's Quarrel, was made by the Capodimonte Porcelain Manufactory in Italy sometime between 1740 and 1759. Porcelain is made by firing a mixture of fine white clay, called kaolin, and powdered rock at very high temperatures. As you can see here, this results in a smooth, delicate, and translucent material, ideal for creating intricate details. The manufacturing of porcelain was a complex and laborious process, involving many different skills, from mixing the raw materials to shaping, firing, and painting the final product. These methods were carefully guarded secrets in the 18th century, and the resulting wares were highly prized. Capodimonte was one of the earliest porcelain factories in Europe, and its products were particularly popular among the aristocracy. Objects like this were luxury items, symbols of status and taste, and are a window into the world of courtly love and social drama. Appreciating the exquisite materiality and the labor that went into this object helps us understand the social context in which it was made, and to challenge the traditional divide between art and craft.