Two lidded jugs c. 1765 - 1775

These two lidded jugs were created by Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal and are now held at the Rijksmuseum. At first glance, the eye is drawn to the contrasting textures and compositional balance. The jugs, crafted from smooth, glossy porcelain, are structured with vertical fluting, which creates a rhythm and a play of light and shadow. The decoration of scattered flowers and foliage adds a layer of complexity to the jugs, while the rounded form of the jug is juxtaposed with the sharp, angular handle. The very structure of this artwork is an exploration into the boundaries of form and function. The application of floral decoration can be seen as a semiotic system. The flowers function as signs pointing towards a broader understanding of nature and artifice, perhaps even destabilizing the conventional boundaries between them. Consider how this interplay between form and decoration challenges our fixed ideas about beauty, utility, and the very essence of art.