Scent bottle in the form of a monk 1775 - 1785

This scent bottle in the form of a monk was made out of porcelain at the Meissen Manufactory. Made in Germany, this piece is a witty example of eighteenth-century European artists’ fascination with representing different social types. The figure of the monk, laden with game and carrying eggs, alludes to the complex relationship between the Catholic Church and secular life, which became the subject of debate during the Enlightenment. The Meissen factory was created in the early eighteenth century under the patronage of the King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, who sought to imitate the prized porcelain wares of China and Japan. The factory's output was closely tied to the court and the aristocracy. The monk’s slightly satirical portrayal would have appealed to the elite classes who purchased these wares. When studying art like this, historical sources such as court documents and factory records can help us understand the social contexts in which artworks were produced and consumed.