Terrine in de vorm van een schelp, met deksel c. 1765 - 1770

This terrine in the shape of a shell, with a lid, was crafted by the Porzellanmanufaktur Nymphenburg. During the 18th century, aristocratic dining became a theatrical display of wealth and global reach. Porcelain terrines, like this one, were centrepieces that reflected this era of elaborate consumption. The shell shape isn't merely decorative; it's an assertion of power, a symbol of exotic and far-flung territories, brought to the table. Consider the cultural implications of such displays: while European elites luxuriated in these goods, the labour and resources of colonised lands were exploited to make it happen. These weren't just objects; they were emblems of a social hierarchy, reflecting the intersection of class, colonialism, and taste. Reflect on the emotional distance between those who dined with such extravagance and those who made it possible. This shell, beautiful as it is, whispers stories of inequality and power.