Tulip vase from a garniture 1720 - 1730

This Tulip vase, part of a larger garniture, was made in Vienna, out of porcelain. The material itself speaks to luxury, requiring complex chemistry, high-temperature firing, and a great deal of skill. Consider the vase's smooth, white surface, decorated with delicate imagery in a pinkish-purple hue and gilt highlights. The floral motifs and pastoral scenes, meticulously hand-painted, reflect a society that valued refinement and artistry. Porcelain production was a closely guarded secret, making it a coveted commodity. The creation of this vase would have involved a division of labor, with specialized artisans responsible for forming, firing, painting, and gilding. The vase therefore represents a culmination of technical expertise and artistic expression, but also the intense labor involved in its production. By focusing on the material and processes behind it, we see how this object embodies social status, economic power, and the complex interplay between art and industry.