Boys at a fountain 1745 - 1760

"Boys at a Fountain" is a porcelain scent bottle made by the Saint James's Factory in England between 1745 and 1760. This bottle, which is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York, depicts two cherubs playfully interacting with a fountain, with a small bird perched atop the bottle’s lid. The piece is a prime example of the Rococo style, evident in the intricate details, playful subject matter, and use of delicate pastel colors. The bottle would have been used for perfumes and other scented liquids popular among the elite in the 18th century.