Dancing girl 1755 - 1765

This porcelain figure, made by the Ansbach Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory, shows us how the decorative arts reflect broader social trends. Porcelain’s refined, white surface has always been prized, as it has to be fired at very high temperatures. This makes it a technically demanding material to work with. The smooth surface here is painted with enamel, which is another process that requires great skill to achieve a delicate finish. These figures, which were produced in molds and then embellished, speak to the rise of consumer culture. Unlike unique works of sculpture, these were made in relatively large numbers. The creation of figurines like this was very labor intensive. The division of labor in the manufactory system meant that individuals would specialize in specific tasks, such as molding, painting, or firing. The attention to detail and the preciousness of the material elevates the status of these figurines beyond mere commodities. This sculpture invites us to consider the complex relationship between art, craft, and the evolving landscape of 18th-century European society.