Pair of vases c. 1809 - 1814

This is a pair of vases, crafted by La Courtille between 1771 and 1840. These vases reflect a period when the decorative arts served as a canvas for expressing societal values, where luxury items were visual statements of identity and class. During this time, images of birds were often deployed to evoke a sense of the idyllic and the pastoral. The vases are more than decorative objects; they are emblems of cultural ideals, mirroring the intricate dance between nature and society. Consider how such objects, while seemingly innocent, played a role in constructing a world of beauty exclusive to a privileged few. As you observe these vases, think about how their existence is intertwined with a narrative of power and representation, and how even the depiction of nature can be shaped by societal forces.