Butter box 1720 - 1730

This butter box was made by the Meissen Manufactory, likely in the 18th century, from hard-paste porcelain. Look closely and you'll notice how this piece imitates the appearance of a turtle. The shell is formed as a lid, and is hand-painted to realistically mimic the animal's speckled carapace. This kind of trompe l'oeil was a popular technique at the time, especially when working with materials like porcelain, which was still a relatively new and expensive material in Europe. The decoration required a high level of skill, especially as each color needed to be fired separately. Remember, Meissen was one of the first European factories to successfully produce true porcelain, and their wares were highly sought after by the aristocracy. So, while this butter box might seem whimsical, it also speaks to the power and status associated with owning such a finely crafted object. The turtle's form and surface are a testament to the material's ability to be molded, painted, and transformed. This piece is not just a functional object, it's a demonstration of technical mastery and social aspiration, blurring the lines between craft, art, and industry.