Tureen c. 1777 - 1790

This Tureen was produced by Porseleinfabriek Den Haag in the Netherlands with porcelain. Its form and decoration provide a window into the cultural values of its time. The Tureen is decorated with idyllic scenes of birds and flowers, painted in delicate pastel colors and the scenes reflect the era's fascination with the natural world, and perhaps suggest the wealth of the owner. This would have been a time when porcelain was a luxury item, and owning a tureen like this would have been a status symbol, representing the owner’s wealth and refined taste. The factory itself had a complex institutional history, reflective of the Dutch economic landscape. To fully understand this Tureen, one might delve into the archives of the Porseleinfabriek Den Haag, exploring its business dealings, its workforce, and its artistic influences. The role of the art historian is to uncover these layers of meaning, revealing the complex interplay between art, society, and institutions.