Potpourri (one of a pair) 1725 - 1755

This delicate, white, porcelain potpourri was crafted at the Saint-Cloud factory during a period of great artistic innovation. Note the profusion of roses—symbols of love, beauty, and transient life. The rose is an ancient emblem, gracing Roman frescos and medieval tapestries. In the Renaissance, Botticelli used roses to evoke both sacred and profane love. But here, the roses, frozen in porcelain, take on a bittersweet quality. The perfumed contents, now long gone, once alluded to the fleeting nature of beauty and life. The potpourri serves as a memento mori, reminding us, with delicate fragrance, of the transience inherent in every moment. These symbols are non-linear. They are repeated, changing their meaning with each revolution. This cultural memory activates subconscious longings, inviting a complex, emotional response.