Vase 1752 - 1758

These elegant vases, created by the Vincennes Porcelain Factory between 1740 and 1758, offer a glimpse into the opulent world of 18th-century France. Established under royal patronage, the factory catered to the tastes of the aristocracy, an era defined by elaborate displays of wealth and power, but also growing social inequality. These porcelain vases, with their delicate floral decorations, embody the Rococo style favored at the time. But, they also speak to broader issues of gender, class, and labor. Porcelain production was labor-intensive, relying on the skills of both male and female artisans, whose contributions often went unacknowledged. When you look at the fine details, think about the hands that crafted each flower and flourish, and consider the lives and identities of those who made such beauty possible. These vases remind us that even objects of beauty are entangled in the complex social realities of their time, reflecting both the aspirations and the contradictions of a society on the cusp of revolution.