Plate 1740 - 1750

This porcelain plate was created by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory in Italy, sometime between 1737 and 1896. It is decorated with blue floral motifs. The plate exemplifies Europe's fascination with East Asian ceramics during this period. The blue-and-white design consciously imitates Chinese porcelain, which was highly prized and widely collected by European elites. The establishment of porcelain manufactories such as Doccia reflects Europe’s ambition to replicate and capitalize on the popularity of these imported goods. This plate speaks to the history of global trade, cultural exchange, and the dynamics of artistic appropriation. To understand it better, we might explore archival records of the Doccia manufactory, period pattern books, and collections of Asian ceramics in Europe. By understanding its social and institutional context, we can begin to interpret its cultural meaning.