Deksel van toiletdoos c. 1778 - 1782

This delicate porcelain lid for a toilet box was produced in Loosdrecht, likely in the late 18th century. The Netherlands in this period saw an efflorescence of porcelain production as local manufacturers sought to emulate the success of factories like Sèvres in France, but at a lower cost. So we see here a distinctive Dutch take on international fashion, with the classical form and elegant decoration rendered in a somewhat simplified style. The toilet box would have been used by wealthy women as a dressing-table item, part of the rituals of elite femininity. The lid thus offers a glimpse into the social life of the Dutch elite, who increasingly defined themselves through luxury goods. To truly understand this object, we would want to know more about the Loosdrecht factory and the individuals who purchased its wares.