Tureen and stand c. 1770 - 1775

This tureen and stand were made by the Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal. The piece speaks to the eighteenth-century fascination with the natural world, but also to the role of luxury goods in constructing social identity. Notice the exotic birds and delicate floral patterns; such motifs were highly fashionable and signaled refinement and taste. Made in Germany, this porcelain set reflects the economic structures of the time. Porcelain production was often state-sponsored, as rulers sought to emulate the success of Meissen and tap into lucrative markets. The craze for porcelain swept across Europe, driving innovation and competition among manufacturers. To understand this piece fully, we might consult period pattern books, trade records, and even conduct archaeological studies of aristocratic dining habits. By examining this tureen within its complex social and institutional context, we gain insight into the values and aspirations of the elite who commissioned and consumed such objects.