Clock 1727 - 1730

This "Clock" was produced by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, using porcelain and glaze. These luxury items, like this clock, reveal a lot about the social and economic structures of the time. During the 18th century, porcelain collecting and display was a popular hobby among the European elite. The craze for porcelain, also known as "white gold", coincided with colonialism. The rise of European global trade with China and Japan, meant porcelain became available for purchase by wealthy Europeans. This clock embodies the intersection of art, commerce, and colonialism. The Meissen factory was one of the first European producers of porcelain, creating these objects for a market that was hungry for luxury goods. This clock, adorned with playful scenes and supported by monkey figures, served not just as a time-telling device, but as a symbol of wealth and global reach.