Dish 1755 - 1775

This ‘Dish’ was crafted by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, active between 1737 and 1896. Reflecting the aesthetic values of its time, this porcelain dish embodies the complex interplay of luxury, trade, and cultural exchange that defined the 18th century. Porcelain production was initially pioneered in China and later emulated in Europe. The pursuit of porcelain was tied to colonial expansion, trade routes, and the exploitation of resources and labor. The floral design adorning the dish is not merely decorative, it symbolizes a negotiation between European tastes and global influences. Floral patterns were introduced by the Dutch East India Company, becoming a popular choice among the wealthy. By appropriating and recontextualizing such designs, European manufacturers asserted their dominance in the global market. Consider this dish as more than a mere object of beauty, but as a vessel that carries within it stories of power, privilege, and the complex dynamics of cultural exchange.