Bittern (one of a pair) 1745 - 1755

This Bittern is one of a pair made out of porcelain by the Meissen Manufactory. During the 18th century, porcelain figurines of birds like this one were all the rage in Europe and were often displayed in aristocratic collections of natural history. They became symbols of wealth and refinement. Looking at this Bittern, its long neck, speckled plumage, and delicate stance, it embodies an aristocratic vision of nature. What is interesting is that they were often placed in elaborate displays that mimicked natural habitats within the domestic sphere. These porcelain birds represent a broader fascination with the natural world during the Enlightenment era but also speak to the human desire to control and classify nature. These porcelain birds served as stand-ins for nature, reflecting a hierarchical relationship between humans and the environment and underscoring issues of class, taste, and the human relationship to nature. It makes you wonder, who gets to decide what is considered beautiful, and how does that shape our connection to the world around us?