Melkkan, beschilderd met een landschap met huizen c. 1809 - 1814

This milk jug, with its hand-painted landscape, was made by the Koninklijke Porseleinfabriek Dommer. The jug is made of porcelain, a material prized for its smooth, white surface and ability to take on delicate forms. The landscape decoration, rendered in colorful enamels, speaks to the tradition of picturesque scenes in the decorative arts. Note the way the gold trim accentuates the jug's shape, adding a touch of luxury. But let’s consider the social context. Porcelain production was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process. Factories like Dommer employed many workers, who were each experts in different stages of ceramic production, from molding to painting. The jug can be appreciated as an object of beauty, but also as a product of collective labor. Paying attention to the materials and making process, helps us to understand how the jug connects to broader issues of class and consumption in Dutch society.