Tureen c. 1740 - 1745

Editor: This tureen, made by Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, is wonderfully decorated with floral designs. It feels opulent, almost theatrical. What do you make of the boar's head handles and the artichoke on top? Curator: The boar's head, a symbol of courage and provision, juxtaposed with the artichoke, a sign of hope and peace, tells a story of abundance and prosperity. How might these symbols resonate within the context of the elaborate banquets where such tureens were displayed? Editor: So, it's not just decoration; it's a deliberate message about status and wealth, all wrapped up in porcelain. Curator: Exactly. Objects like this served as visual declarations, shaping and reinforcing social hierarchies through symbolic language. Editor: That makes me see the tureen in a whole new light – a container of meaning as much as soup!