Oval panel with a woman, her servant and a boy on a fenced terrace c. 1770 - 1775

This oval panel depicts a woman, her servant and a boy on a fenced terrace, and was made by an anonymous artist. The panel is crafted from porcelain, meticulously painted with enamel. Porcelain itself speaks to an era of global trade. Think about the transformation of raw materials like kaolin clay, into something so refined and delicate, and then painted in such detail. Notice the intricate details of the terrace, the figures' clothing, and the way colors are layered to create depth. This wasn't just decoration, but a demonstration of wealth and status, destined for trade. Consider the labour involved, from the mining of clay to the skilled application of each brushstroke. The intense heat of the kiln, and the number of firings required for completion. The context, of course, is that porcelain like this became intensely popular in Europe, and remained so for centuries. So, next time you see porcelain, remember it is not just an object, but a whole network of makers, traders, and consumers.