Vase with cover 1725 - 1745

This vase with cover was made by the Alcora Manufactory, a Spanish ceramics firm, sometime in the 18th century. It's made of earthenware, a low-fired ceramic material, covered with a tin glaze that gives it that bright white surface, perfect for painting. And that's just what you see here: colorful scenes and patterns applied by hand. The main image is of a figure, perhaps a merchant, holding what seems to be an umbrella. It's all quite charming, but consider what it took to make this object: from mining the clay, forming the vase on a wheel, firing it in a kiln, applying the glaze, and then hand-painting the decoration. This was labor-intensive work. Ceramics like this were luxury goods, destined for wealthy households. So, while we can appreciate the skill and artistry on display, it's also worth remembering the many hands that contributed to its creation, and the social hierarchies that made such objects possible. It's a reminder that even the most beautiful things are often the result of complex systems of production and consumption.