Melkkan c. 1770

This is a milk jug, made from porcelain, by Loosdrecht. Porcelain is a strong, vitrified, translucent ceramic. It is made by heating raw materials, generally including clay, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 and 1,400 °C. The jug's smooth surface, delicate handle, and painted decoration testify to this demanding process. The labor involved in producing porcelain was considerable, and its manufacture was tightly controlled. Loosdrecht, like other European porcelain factories, sought to emulate the hard-paste porcelain first developed in China. The painting of the birds and foliage is finely detailed, showing the skill of the decorators. The decoration is not just for show; it elevates the jug beyond a simple utilitarian object. Considering its material, making, and social context allows us to appreciate the artistry and labor that went into creating this object, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.