Potpourri Vase c. 1885

This potpourri vase was made by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company in England using glazed porcelain and gilding. As a historian, what strikes me is how objects like these, from the 18th and 19th centuries, reflect the social status of their owners. The delicate porcelain, the intricate floral design, and the lavish use of gold are all visual cues of wealth and refinement. Potpourri itself, a mix of dried flowers and spices, was a luxury item, used to perfume the air in a time before modern sanitation. This vase, then, becomes a symbol of domestic comfort and privilege. By studying company records, historical accounts of domestic life, and museum collections, we can better understand the complex web of social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped the production and consumption of such objects. Ultimately, this vase is a reminder that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply embedded in the social fabric of its time.