Three flowerpot containers (cache-pots) and stands c. 1778 - 1782

These three flowerpot containers were made by Loosdrecht, using refined ceramic techniques. The porcelain from which they are made gives a sense of refinement, and the hand-painted decoration gives a hand-touched feel. These stands were made in a mold, giving them a uniform shape. While molds were helpful in mass production, their use doesn't necessarily compromise the quality and attention to detail. The decoration with sprigs in several shades of green, painted on the white glaze, is an artistic process that demands skilled craftsmanship. These flowerpot containers reflect the period’s interest in nature. But by placing plants inside decorative objects, these pieces were inevitably caught up in a social dance between the natural world, and the culture of the time, and the social status of the owner. They demonstrate the integration of art, craft, and industrial production, pointing to a broader understanding of art history.