Scent bottle 1750 - 1755

This scent bottle was crafted at the Capodimonte Porcelain Manufactory in the mid-18th century. We see a figure in commedia dell'arte garb perched jauntily atop a tortoise. The mask and costume immediately bring to mind a sense of theater, of hidden identities and playful deception. The mask itself, obscuring the wearer's face, suggests a dual nature – a hidden self lurking beneath the surface. Think of the masks worn in ancient Greek theater, used to amplify emotion and transform the actor. The tortoise, often a symbol of longevity and steadfastness, here seems burdened by the weight of the performer. These symbols are not static; they evolve. The masked figure, once a vehicle for ritual and drama, now contains the spirit of carnival and satire. This scent bottle becomes a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols, their ability to be reborn and imbued with new life across generations. It is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.