Tureen with cover 1740 - 1765

This tureen with cover was produced by the Meissen Manufactory. Its pure white porcelain and simple shapes invite tactile exploration, even from a distance. Note the clean geometry of the bowl, its smooth surface, and the gentle curve of the lid. The handles disrupt the simplicity of the design by rendering the heads of snarling canines. The lid handle has a similar effect with its flourish. We see here a play between simplicity and complexity, utility and pure aesthetic form. The artist explores the semiotic potential of porcelain. Consider this object within the broader context of 18th-century European art and philosophy. During this time, porcelain was prized for its pure colour, strength, and delicate form, embodying Enlightenment ideals of order and refinement. It is a powerful reminder that even everyday objects carry cultural weight, reflecting broader trends in design and thought.