Vase (from a garniture of three) 1720 - 1735

This covered vase was made at the Meissen Manufactory, likely in the 18th century, from hard-paste porcelain. The elegant form and the delicate sprigging of white grape vines against a pale blue ground are hallmarks of Meissen. These elements speak to a highly refined approach to porcelain production. But the vase also speaks to labor and class. Think for a moment about what it took to make this vase. First, the mining of kaolin, essential for porcelain. Then, the precise molding, firing, and painting, all done by skilled hands. Every stage involved specialized knowledge passed down through generations. The value of this vase lies not just in its beauty, but also in the expertise and effort of the artisans who made it. The Meissen Manufactory wasn't just making pretty objects. It was a complex social world, employing a workforce, and participating in the wider economy of 18th-century Europe. This vase encourages us to see how craft, design, and materiality intertwine with social and economic realities.