Plate 1738 - 1749

This plate, made in France during the 18th century by Laurent Cars, presents a fascinating glimpse into the social values of its time. Crafted from faience with a tin glaze, the blue illustrations on the plate reflect the era's attitudes toward gender and class. The central figure, a woman in elaborate dress holding a bird and a fan, stands between two men making music. The inscription on the plate, praising wine and mocking marriage, invites us to consider the culture of elite French society and its notions of pleasure, medicine, and the relationships between men and women. The imagery and text boldly challenge the traditional representations of marriage and domesticity. The scene encourages a discussion about the social norms that women navigated, how they were perceived in relation to men, and the subtle ways in which they could exercise agency.