Tureen and stand 1730 - 1740

This Tureen and stand was made in Vienna out of delicate porcelain. The pieces are coated in a white glaze, and decorated with intricate black transfer prints, depicting scenes of the hunt. Porcelain, a refined type of ceramic, was highly sought after in the 18th and 19th centuries. It demanded a complex production process, relying on specialized knowledge and division of labor. The Vienna manufactory, where this tureen was made, was known for high-quality wares, designed to appeal to aristocratic taste. The transfer-printed decoration allowed for relatively quick and consistent replication of imagery, making luxury goods like this tureen more widely accessible. Consider the amount of work involved: from the mining of raw materials, to the shaping, firing, glazing, and decoration of the porcelain. This tureen speaks to the complex relationship between craft, industrialization, and consumer culture. Appreciating the material and processes involved challenges traditional distinctions between decorative art and luxury commodities, while also inviting us to think about the labor involved in its production.