Plate 1739 - 1754

This plate was made by Paul Hannong in France in the mid-18th century, and it's made of tin-glazed earthenware. It's a beautiful example of the kind of decorative arts that were becoming increasingly popular among the middle classes at this time. The delicate floral design, painted with such care and precision, speaks to a culture that valued refinement and elegance. But it also reflects the economic realities of the time. The rise of a consumer culture meant that more and more people had access to goods like this plate, which would have once been reserved for the aristocracy. Hannong was part of a family of potters who were at the forefront of this trend, producing high-quality ceramics for a growing market. By examining probate inventories, trade records, and other documents, we can better understand the social and economic forces that shaped the production and consumption of art in 18th-century France. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.