Barrel-shaped réchaud 1755 - 1765

This barrel-shaped réchaud was produced by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory sometime between 1737 and 1896. These objects provide insight into the aristocratic society that once cherished them, and they reflect a culture deeply entrenched in rituals of luxury and display. During the 18th and 19th centuries, porcelain objects became potent symbols of status and taste, coveted by European elites. This réchaud is decorated with delicate, dreamlike landscapes, these Rococo-style designs evoke a sense of idealized nature. The aesthetic preferences of the time reflected a desire for refinement, escapism, and the consumption of luxury goods. These objects also evoke a sense of the social dynamics of the time, as they would have been focal points of social gatherings and intimate domestic settings. While beautiful to look at, it is important to consider the broader historical implications of such displays of wealth and privilege, and how they may have perpetuated social inequalities.