Vase and Cover (one of a pair) 1715 - 1720

Editor: So, here we have a "Vase and Cover (one of a pair)," created sometime between 1715 and 1720 by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. It's crafted with ceramic, porcelain, gold, and, surprisingly, print! It strikes me as opulent and dramatic – a tiny stage for a fierce naval battle! What draws your eye in this piece? Curator: Opulent and dramatic - I love that. To me, this vase is pure theatre. Imagine, porcelain – so delicate, almost ephemeral – acting as a canvas for such a boisterous scene! It's like the most fabulous soap opera on the high seas. The Baroque period was so unafraid of grand gestures, wasn't it? This isn't just functional; it's a statement, a conversation starter. Those gold flourishes, for instance; where do you think they fit in? Editor: Good question! I think the gold leaf emphasizes the importance of wealth and trade to these warring nations and shows that whoever commissioned it definitely had deep pockets. But where did Meissen get the idea to depict battle scenes in such detail? Curator: Precisely! It's as though the commissioner demanded not only beauty but also a sense of worldliness. Now, regarding Meissen's inspiration, recall that porcelain production was itself a battle, a jealously guarded secret "stolen" from the East. The battle scenes mirrored that cultural struggle in some ways, I suspect. Makes me wonder: What secrets are we imprinting on our objects today? Editor: That's a fantastic point. It puts the 'print' in a different context – like visual information warfare on porcelain! It makes me think of how our phones display constant battles for our attention today. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. And it shows how even something seemingly "decorative" is deeply embedded in the history of craftsmanship, conflict, and cultural aspiration. We’re all battling *something,* aren’t we?