Couple on a settee 1737

This sculpture of a couple on a settee was made in Meissen, Germany, using hard-paste porcelain. Notice the pristine whiteness of the material. That’s the result of firing kaolin clay at extremely high temperatures, a closely guarded secret at Meissen. Porcelain was the ultimate luxury good of its day, a status symbol for the wealthy. The delicate modeling of the figures, the elaborate floral patterns, and the gilded base are testaments to the incredible skill of the Meissen artisans. Each element demanded specialized knowledge. Think of the many hands involved in producing just one of these sculptures; from the miners extracting the raw materials, to the modelers, painters, and gilders in the workshop. These figurines were made in molds, then assembled with liquid clay. The rococo style, with its emphasis on asymmetry and ornamentation, is perfectly suited to porcelain’s fluid, malleable qualities. This sculpture, and many others like it, blurred the line between art and craft. By considering the labor and materials involved, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance.