Pierced ball with silk tassel c. 1700 - 1725

This pierced ball with silk tassel was skillfully created by an anonymous artist, using a technique that combines ceramic artistry with delicate craftsmanship. It is made from porcelain, carefully molded into a spherical form, and intricately pierced with a network of decorative openings. These piercings, combined with painted floral motifs, transform the dense ceramic into a visually light and airy object. A glossy glaze accentuates the smoothness of the porcelain, while the silk tassel adds a tactile element, contrasting with the hardness of the ceramic. The creation of this object involved a division of labor. The porcelain was molded, fired, and painted, likely in a workshop setting. The addition of the silk tassel introduces another layer of craft, as silk production and tassel-making were often specialized trades. The pierced ball represents not only aesthetic beauty but also skilled labor and the complex networks of production. Appreciating this object requires acknowledging the value of materials, the artistry of making, and its place within a broader socioeconomic context, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.