Turkish Figure, Sweetmeat Dish c. 1760

This porcelain sweetmeat dish, featuring a so-called Turkish figure, was made in England at the Bow Porcelain Factory in the mid-18th century. It speaks to the era's fascination with exoticism and the burgeoning trade routes that brought new cultures and commodities into European consciousness. The figure, perched precariously while holding a shell, is an imagined "Turk," reflecting European fantasies rather than realities. England's commercial relationships with the Ottoman Empire fueled a desire for Orientalist goods, and factories like Bow capitalized on this trend, producing idealized images of foreign cultures for British consumers. It catered to the aristocratic fashion for elaborate table settings and luxury items. By examining trade records, shipping manifests, and the factory's own financial documents, historians can better understand the social and economic context in which this dish was produced. The "Turkish Figure, Sweetmeat Dish" is more than a decorative object; it's a window into a world of trade, cultural exchange, and the politics of representation.