Allegorical Figure of Africa 1770 - 1780

This is the Derby Porcelain Manufactory's "Allegorical Figure of Africa." Here, we encounter an exquisite symbol of a continent rendered in porcelain. Note the figure's dark skin, a coral necklace, and a headdress crafted from what appears to be an elephant's tusk. The cornucopia brimming with flowers and the crouching lion at her side serve as emblems of abundance and strength. This representation evokes a lineage of allegorical depictions, echoing classical personifications of regions and continents. Yet, this figure also reflects the complex historical context of its creation—a time of burgeoning colonialism and the commodification of distant lands and peoples. Consider the lion: a symbol of power. But how does its meaning shift when placed beneath the foot of a figure representing a subjugated land? The cornucopia, promising plenty, contrasts sharply with the exploitation inherent in colonial trade. This is more than mere decoration; it is a potent expression of cultural memory and the subconscious anxieties of an era grappling with its own expanding world. The symbols persist, their meanings forever in flux.