Sweetmeat dish c. 1765

This sweetmeat dish, of unknown origin, is made of delicate porcelain, meticulously divided into sections and hand-painted in a blue floral motif. The dish's smooth, cool surface speaks to the refined nature of porcelain, a material achieved through careful preparation and high-temperature firing. Porcelain emerged as a luxury item, its creation involving the extraction of kaolin clay, shaping on a wheel, glazing, and decorative painting. The blue decoration would have been painted by hand, requiring considerable skill. The making of this dish would have involved a dedicated division of labor, with individuals specializing in each stage of the process. The dish's design, function, and decoration reflect the social context of its time. It stands as a testament to the global exchange of goods and ideas. Considering this sweetmeat dish, it's clear that even the most seemingly simple objects can reveal complex histories of making, labor, and cultural exchange.