Sauceboat and tray 1755 - 1765

This is a Sauceboat and tray made at the Veuve Perrin Factory. These pieces have been made from faience, a type of tin-glazed earthenware, which gives them a distinctive, slightly porous quality. If you look closely, you can see how the material has influenced the appearance of the piece: the glaze pools in certain areas, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. This wasn't the most valuable ceramic, but it was extremely popular as a relatively accessible luxury good. The floral decoration was applied by hand, and would have taken a considerable amount of time to decorate each piece. Such objects were often made in factories, where the division of labor meant each worker specialized in a different process, be that molding, glazing, or painting. The factory system meant that luxury goods like this one were more widely available to consumers, and the production was far less artisanal than how it appears. Considering its material, making, and context helps us appreciate its full meaning, and challenges our assumptions about fine art and craft.