Squirrel 1750 - 1760

Curator: Looking at this piece, my first impression is of delicate exuberance. Editor: Indeed! Here we have a porcelain sculpture of a Squirrel, crafted between 1750 and 1760 by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. It currently resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Curator: The posture of the squirrel is fascinating—almost anthropomorphic. The way it holds the fruit, coupled with its alert expression, brings such charm and an oddly playful character to it. I can imagine a wealthy person buying such a charming little decorative item and proudly presenting it to their friends. Editor: The piece’s rococo style is undeniable, a testament to its period, it captures the taste for intricate details and asymmetry that permeated European decorative arts. Do you notice the vibrant color scheme? It seems somewhat muted. Curator: Exactly! The orange fur, contrasted with the white body and those subtly rendered plums, work in synergy, I suppose, even in a subtle dance that elevates the form. Furthermore, if you were to run your fingers along the glaze, its almost glasslike and glossy feel against your fingers adds another tactile dimension to the experience of appreciation, you are forced to examine the contours and lines on this animal. Editor: Let’s also consider the use of porcelain itself. Its delicate, almost ethereal quality adds to the overall sense of fragility. It creates an almost literal embodiment of a momentary caprice that must be admired and not used in any other function. Curator: Agreed, the craftsmanship exemplifies Rococo’s embrace of elaborate artifice, which underscores the symbolic associations between artifice and aristocratic privilege of the age. But that chain necklace? An extremely bold gesture on behalf of its makers and likely speaks of the pets kept in aristocratic houses in those times. Editor: A very subtle indication of status indeed! After studying the forms and style and material, this sculpture makes me think about art, ownership, power, and, of course, admiration. Curator: I concur; a lovely piece to ponder upon—all those delicious themes intertwine in one sculptural whole!