The Pottery Seller 1740 - 1750

This is a porcelain figurine, made by the Capodimonte Porcelain Manufactory in the mid-18th century. It depicts a pottery seller carrying a basket full of his wares, with several vessels in his arms. Porcelain, a refined ceramic material fired at high temperatures, was highly prized in Europe at this time. The whiteness and delicacy of porcelain allowed for intricate modeling, with minute details such as the weave of the basket and the seller’s expression captured in exacting detail. The manufacturing process would have been highly specialized, involving skilled artisans in modeling, casting, firing, and painting. The division of labor is notable here, speaking to proto-industrial methods of production. The Pottery Seller reflects the increasing commercialization of European society and the rise of consumer culture. By immortalizing this vendor in precious porcelain, the artist elevates the everyday into the realm of art. It reminds us that even seemingly humble objects can carry significant social and cultural weight, challenging traditional hierarchies between art and craft.