Inkstand in the form of a pomegranate in a gilt-bronze mount 1735 - 1750

The Chantilly Manufactory created this porcelain inkstand in the form of a pomegranate, mounted in gilt-bronze. The initial visual impact is one of playful artifice: the pomegranate is split open, revealing a textured interior, its skin rendered in swirled greens and yellows. Let’s consider the structure. The inkstand's form destabilizes the clear division between the natural and the artificial. The pomegranate, typically a symbol of nature's bounty, is transformed here into a functional object, challenging fixed categories. The gilt-bronze, with its elaborate foliate design, further enhances this tension, elevating the piece into the realm of high artifice. Notice how the artist plays with texture and color. The rough, granular interior of the pomegranate contrasts with the smooth, glazed skin. This contrast, combined with the vibrant, yet unnatural colors, creates a sense of visual intrigue. It is an object that invites both admiration and contemplation, reflecting broader artistic concerns of representation and the human desire to reshape the natural world according to aesthetic ideals. The inkstand serves as a potent symbol of transformation and re-interpretation.