Vase (one of a pair) 1725 - 1735

This vase was made by the Meissen Manufactory, a German porcelain company, sometime in the 18th century. Its painted scenes show a European fantasy of an idealized China. These images of exotic lands tell us about the culture of Europe at the time, where there was a growing interest in the East, and where Chinese porcelain was highly prized. The scenes on the vase are not accurate depictions of China but rather reflect European perceptions and stereotypes. This vase reveals the dynamics of cultural exchange and the European appropriation of Asian aesthetics. By studying objects like this vase and researching the historical context in which they were made, we can learn more about the complex relationship between East and West, and the ways in which cultures influence and interpret one another.