Saucer with flowering plants in shaped panels c. 1760 - 1780

This saucer featuring flowering plants in shaped panels was made by an anonymous artist. Here, the delicate brushstrokes and pastel hues reflect a broader cultural interest in botany and the natural world. The arrangement of the plants within defined panels speaks to a desire to organize and contain nature, reflecting a European sensibility influenced by exploration and colonialism. The floral motifs themselves, while decorative, invite us to consider the historical and social contexts that shaped their creation and appreciation. What stories do these flowers tell? What aspects of identity and cultural exchange are interwoven in their depiction? I would ask you to consider how the artwork evokes a sense of harmony, and perhaps, a more complex interaction between the human and natural realms. This saucer serves as a reminder of the emotional and personal connections we form with the objects we surround ourselves with.