Covered ewer 1798 - 1902

This covered ewer was made in China, and today it resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The delicate porcelain is painted with vibrant figures in a garden setting, reflecting a culture of social gatherings and refined taste. Ewers like this tell us a lot about the social conditions that shaped artistic production in China. Porcelain held significant cultural value. It was a prized commodity in domestic trade, a diplomatic gift, and a valuable export. The imagery of figures enjoying leisure activities also speaks to a particular social class with the means to enjoy such luxuries. As art historians, we can consult period documents, trade records, and social histories to deepen our understanding of this object. We can research the kilns where it was produced and the workshops where it was painted. By exploring this rich social and institutional context, we start to understand the political and economic forces that shaped the creation and meaning of this seemingly simple object.