Sugar Bowl 1891 - 1894

This is a porcelain sugar bowl, made by the American Art China Company sometime between 1891 and 1894. Its structure presents a fascinating interplay of delicacy and opulence. The bowl's pale, almost translucent body is adorned with vibrant floral paintings framed by gilded accents. The handles, robust and ornate, provide a stark contrast to the subtle curves of the bowl itself. Note how the painter used the semiotic system of flowers to speak to social and cultural norms around femininity and domesticity. The form of the sugar bowl, a vessel designed for everyday luxury, takes on a new dimension when viewed through the lens of structuralism. It’s not merely a container but a signifier of status, taste, and cultural values. The gilded details challenge fixed meanings. They function not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural discourse on luxury and the performative aspects of social rituals.