Bowl with cover 1765 - 1770

Editor: Here we have "Bowl with Cover", crafted between 1765 and 1770 by the Le Nove Porcelain Manufactory. It's porcelain, so it's hard, white and ever so smooth. The decoration... well, it reminds me of a playful theatre set, quaint and utterly charming! What jumps out at you? Curator: Theatre! Yes, that's a delightful way to see it. To me, it's like stumbling upon a tiny, self-contained world. Rococo was all about embracing the fanciful and escaping into idyllic scenes, wasn't it? Think of these landscapes not just as depictions of nature but as carefully staged backdrops for elegant, leisurely pursuits. Doesn’t the overall form hint at something luxurious – maybe even a little bit naughty? Editor: Naughty? Really? Curator: Well, think of what it might have held - perfumed oils? Sweetmeats for secret rendezvous? This isn't about mere utility; it's about indulging the senses. And the slightly naive rendering of the buildings gives the scenery an innocent feel! Don't you get the sense of playful abandon? Editor: I see your point! The landscapes, while decorative, also feel surprisingly personal. Almost like a dreamscape. The choice of the rosette knob and flamboyant handles creates the luxurious and slightly mischievous sensibility you mentioned, transforming a simple container into a objet d'art. Curator: Precisely! It all melds together to give this piece an irresistible energy and sense of personal fantasy, wouldn't you say? Each of these features contributes to its distinctive character! Editor: Absolutely. It's made me see this decorative bowl not just as a pretty object, but as a window into a mindset, a period’s way of seeing the world and themselves, almost! Thanks!