Turk 1760 - 1770

This small porcelain sculpture of a Turk was made by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory in Italy. During the 18th century, European artists and audiences often exoticized the Ottoman Empire. They were fascinated by what they imagined as the opulence of the East. Visual codes such as turbans, richly patterned fabrics, and flowing robes reinforced these stereotypes, while also pointing to the growing commercial and political interactions between Europe and the Ottoman world. The Doccia Manufactory, founded in 1737 by Marchese Carlo Ginori, produced porcelain wares that catered to the tastes of the European elite. By studying historical sources such as travelogues, diplomatic records, and fashion plates, we can better understand how cultural encounters shaped artistic representations. The meaning of this porcelain Turk is not simply aesthetic but is deeply rooted in the social and institutional contexts of its time.