Basin c. 1770

This basin was crafted by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company, and its smooth porcelain surface is adorned with a complex arrangement of colour and form. The composition is structured around alternating fields of deep cobalt blue and white. These are divided by gilded borders, creating a rhythmic pattern of dark and light. At the center and around the perimeter, floral bouquets in pastel hues offer a delicate contrast to the intense blue. These floral motifs are framed by ornate gilded cartouches, emphasizing their decorative quality. The interplay between the geometric structure and the organic floral patterns destabilizes any singular reading. The basin exists in a space between functionality and ornamentation, challenging conventional assumptions about form and purpose. This tension invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting how even a decorative object can engage with broader cultural discourses around aesthetics and value.