Ewer with Figures in Landscape 1650 - 1670

This is an earthenware ewer with a silver lid and handle, decorated by Adrian Brandt. The blue and white landscape, with figures, reflects the influence of Chinese porcelain on European ceramics. As trade routes opened, these objects became status symbols in Europe. The ewer complicates the narrative of global exchange, particularly how artistic styles migrate across cultures and are adapted for new audiences. Consider how the commodification of such objects reflects power dynamics: who has access to these goods and whose labor is involved in their production? How does this ewer embody a history of appropriation, and how can we see it as an object of cultural exchange? Appreciate its craftsmanship, while being mindful of the complex history of global trade it represents.