Hoopoe (Wiedehoppe) (one of a pair) 1741

This porcelain Hoopoe was made at the Meissen Manufactory, which was established in Germany in 1710. Porcelain, or 'white gold' as it was known, was a highly desirable material. Its recipe was a closely guarded secret, and its production demanded skilled labor. The Hoopoe’s appeal lies in its sharp realism, which is achieved through careful hand-modeling and painting. The delicate crest, striped wings, and alert posture give a sense of life, despite the rigid medium. The detailed rendering of the bird, foliage, and even the small frog at its base, all speak to the intense labor involved in the production process. Looking at this object, one cannot ignore the economic context that made its creation possible. Porcelain was coveted by the elite and it was a symbol of wealth. This Hoopoe speaks to the intertwining of art, craft, labor, and consumption.