Lion and cock 1755 - 1765

This is a porcelain scent bottle depicting a lion and a cock, made by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory in the 18th century. These small, decorative items were very much a product of their time. During the 1700s, Europe was in the throes of colonialism and the decorative arts often displayed a fascination with, and a misunderstanding of, the animal kingdom. This particular piece presents a lion – a symbol of imperial power – in a somewhat domesticated, playful manner. The lion is literally playing with its prey. It’s hard not to consider the gendered dynamics at play, too. The lion, traditionally a masculine symbol, is here rendered in delicate porcelain, almost emasculated by its preciousness. The vibrant cock, on the other hand, seems to be putting up a fight, its plumage bursting with color even in the face of danger. This work asks us to consider the complexities of power, representation, and the human impulse to tame the wild, both literally and figuratively. It reminds us that even the most seemingly innocent objects can carry complex cultural meanings.