Spoon tray 1770 - 1780

The Höchst Manufactory crafted this delicate porcelain spoon tray, its undulating rim edged in gold, sometime in the 18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the asymmetry of the painted scene, disrupting any conventional expectations of balance and harmony. Observe the careful placement of the peacock, perched precariously atop what appears to be a humble chicken coop. The juxtaposition is striking: a symbol of aristocratic opulence casually dominates a space associated with rural simplicity. The very act of placing such disparate elements together prompts a re-evaluation of social hierarchies. The artist uses the porcelain as a blank canvas, a structured surface upon which to deconstruct notions of class and taste. It challenges fixed meanings and invites contemplation of power and representation. The curved form and the fragility of the material add another layer, suggesting the precarious nature of these established orders.