Potpourri 1725 - 1745

This is a Potpourri, made by the Saint-Cloud factory in the early 18th century from soft-paste porcelain. The initial visual impression is one of soft, rounded forms. Notice how the vertical ribs of the melon-shaped body create a rhythmic pattern, leading the eye upwards to the floral decorations. These applied flowers are not merely ornamental, but structurally integrated, softening the geometric lines and creating a transition between form and surface. The choice of porcelain as a medium invites a consideration of the material itself. Porcelain, with its delicate yet durable qualities, embodies a tension between fragility and permanence. The object straddles the line between functionality and art. Its purpose, to contain and diffuse scents, gives it a practical dimension, yet its elaborate design elevates it beyond the merely utilitarian. This interplay between utility and art challenges traditional categories.