Vase (vase Duplessis) (one of a group of three) 1747 - 1757

This exquisite vase was crafted at the Vincennes Manufactory in France between 1740 and 1756. Its delicate porcelain, adorned with meticulously rendered floral designs, speaks volumes about the social and cultural landscape of its time. In eighteenth-century France, porcelain was more than just a material; it was a symbol of wealth, refinement, and aristocratic taste. Factories like Vincennes were supported by the crown, effectively making them instruments of royal power and national prestige. This vase, with its ornate embellishments, would have graced the homes of the elite, reflecting their cultivated sensibilities and social standing. Its very existence tells of the vast resources and skilled labor mobilized to cater to the desires of the privileged few. To truly understand this vase, we need to delve into the archives, exploring patronage networks, workshop practices, and the consumption patterns of the French aristocracy. Only then can we fully appreciate its significance as a cultural artifact.