Bonbon dish 1750 - 1755

This exquisite bonbon dish was crafted from porcelain at the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, active from 1737 to 1896. The piece embodies the rococo style, popular among European elites who wanted to demonstrate wealth and power in the 18th century. The composition features two mermen supporting a large shell, a display of wealth meant for holding sweets. The Doccia Manufactory, located near Florence, was established by Marchese Carlo Ginori, who aimed to produce porcelain that would rival the esteemed factories of Meissen and Sèvres. The manufactory benefited from the patronage of the Florentine aristocracy, producing pieces that catered to their refined tastes and opulent lifestyles. The study of objects like this, combined with archival research on the manufactory and the Ginori family, allows us to understand the social and economic context in which art is produced and consumed.