Girl (one of a pair) 1765 - 1775

This porcelain figurine of a girl was made at the Fulda Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory in the late 18th century.   Porcelain, that most aristocratic of materials, is made by firing a mixture of fine clay and other minerals at incredibly high temperatures. This results in a translucent, glass-like material, perfectly suited to intricate modeling. As you can see here, the girl is delicately formed, with careful attention paid to the details of her dress and hat. The floral patterns on her dress would have been hand-painted, a skilled and time-consuming process.   Fulda, like other European manufacturers, sought to emulate the success of Chinese porcelain. But beyond mere imitation, this figurine speaks to the rise of consumer culture in the 18th century, where even the middle classes could afford luxury items. The labor that went into its production, from the mining of the clay to the painter’s brushstrokes, reflects a world of increasingly specialized work, tied to emerging capitalist economies. So, next time you encounter porcelain, remember the complex blend of artistry, industry, and social aspiration it represents.