Butter tub with flower vases in panels c. 1719 - 1744

This is a butter tub with flower vases, made of porcelain at the Claudius Innocentius du Paquier factory in Vienna. The hard, white body of the porcelain allowed for delicate forms and a smooth surface, perfect for painting detailed floral scenes in vibrant colors. Consider the incredible skill required to produce such an object. First, the clay had to be carefully prepared and shaped, then fired at a high temperature to achieve its characteristic strength and translucence. Next came the decoration, which was painted by hand with incredible precision. Note the small handles, formed as stylized dragons; these would have been added separately. This level of craftsmanship speaks to a highly specialized division of labor. The Du Paquier factory, like others across Europe, relied on a skilled workforce to produce these luxury goods. The value of this piece, then, lies not only in its visual appeal, but also in the collective effort and expertise that brought it into being. By looking closely at its materials and making, we can better appreciate the social context in which it was created.