Wineglass Cooler 1758

Curator: Take a look at this Wineglass Cooler, crafted by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres in 1758. Its delicate porcelain is embellished with hand-painted details. Editor: My first impression is pure Rococo—frothy, ornamental, and almost impossibly delicate. The eye is immediately drawn to the asymmetrical floral and fruit arrangement. Curator: Indeed, the asymmetry contributes to its Rococo character. But also consider how the cooler’s form participates in that language. See the carefully considered relationship between curves and straight lines—the flared body and undulating handles, each trimmed with detailed cobalt banding. Editor: Cobalt, such a classic color of wealth. It emphasizes status and luxury. The fruit and flowers aren't simply decorative; they're symbolic. The inclusion of specific fruits or blooms can act as signifiers of seasons, feelings, and classical myths known and respected by the owner. The floral decorations reflect ideals of beauty and, perhaps, even hidden or allegorical messages for the sophisticated collector. Curator: Precisely. And let’s not forget the formal aspect of that applied image. Note how the curvature of the painted sprig echoes the convex form of the object. The artisan had to negotiate applying that two-dimensional image on a three-dimensional object. Editor: I wonder about the use of such luxury goods. Wine at this time had so much embedded meaning within courtly love, artistic circles, and of course the growing merchant class. There is so much unsaid contained here. Curator: A point well taken. And from a purely art historical perspective, it is fascinating how even a seemingly utilitarian object like this can be such a rich field for aesthetic inquiry. Editor: Thinking about the coded meanings and beauty makes me long for the intricacies of eighteenth-century court life and love. A glimpse into their world of symbol and splendor.