Liqueur bottle cooler (seau ovale à liqueur) 1755

This Liqueur Bottle Cooler was made by the Vincennes Manufactory sometime between 1740 and 1756. Crafted from soft-paste porcelain, its oval form presents a delightful tableau of color and gilding. The cooler's structure is defined by a striking contrast: a vibrant turquoise ground against a central white panel. Consider the symmetry and the placement of decorative elements. The handles, shaped with a restrained elegance, mirror each other, framing the body of the cooler. Gilding traces the rims and outlines the turquoise fields, adding definition to the rococo scrolls. The white panels feature detailed polychrome floral arrangements contained by asymmetrical gilded cartouches. This object is not just a cooler; it’s a statement of luxury, and the emphasis is on visual pleasure. The juxtaposition of the cooler's practical function with its ornamental design suggests a larger commentary on value and taste during the 18th century. The structure of the piece—from its shape to the placement of each gilded flourish—contributes to a complex visual language that speaks volumes about the aesthetic values of its time.