Vase 1886

This vase was created by Crown Derby, a company which has been producing porcelain since 1750. The style of the decoration and the mark on the base suggests this vase may have been produced in the late 19th century, a period when the company was known as Royal Crown Derby. The vase has an intricate design featuring raised gilding and tiny white enamel beading set against a deep blue ground. This style references earlier Japanese Imari ware, prized in Europe. Considering the historical context, the creation of the vase and others like it reflects the global trade and colonial dynamics of the 19th century, where cultural exchanges were often intertwined with power imbalances. The design is beautiful but also speaks to issues of cultural appropriation and the complexities of artistic exchange in a world shaped by empire.