Buddhist Divinity 1705 - 1715

This small sculpture of a Buddhist Divinity was made at the Meissen Manufactory. Meissen was the first European factory to produce porcelain, a technology previously known only in China and Japan. In the 18th century, porcelain was highly valued as an exotic import and fashionable luxury item. We can see the influence of this taste for Asian art in this sculpture. Notice the figure's robes, bare chest, and the lotus position. But what exactly is it doing here, made in Europe and displayed in a museum? Factories like Meissen played an important role in shaping European perceptions of other cultures, as they interpreted and marketed versions of Asian art for European consumers. Understanding this history requires examining the social networks and economic forces behind the creation and collection of art. It also requires thinking about the institution of the museum itself, as a space that gives certain objects special value.