Pantaloon 1705 - 1718

This is the ‘Pantaloon,’ made at the Meissen Manufactory in the 18th century from Böttger stoneware. Named after Johann Friedrich Böttger, the stoneware was one of the first European attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain, and involved firing a specific type of clay at high temperatures. Look closely, and you can see the remarkable effects of this material. The Pantaloon’s dark reddish-brown color comes entirely from the clay itself, as does the satiny sheen. Notice the crisp modeling achieved through the industrial process of molding, which allowed for detailed replication and catered to the growing demand for luxury goods among the European elite. It's easy to appreciate the technical mastery of this piece, but it also reflects a broader context: the beginnings of mass production, where art and industry began their long, complicated dance. The Meissen Manufactory wasn’t just making art, they were shaping consumer culture. The Pantaloon isn't merely a sculpture, but a piece of social history, fired in a kiln and fraught with cultural meaning.