Small tureen c. 1760

This small tureen was made of porcelain in the Netherlands, by the Weesper porseleinfabriek. The floral design imitates patterns from elsewhere in Europe and East Asia. The Weesper factory, active only from 1759 to 1771, was one of the earliest Dutch producers of porcelain, and they attempted to break the monopoly held by the German factory at Meissen. The decorative forms used on the tureen echo the rococo style favored by elite patrons. The factory was supported by wealthy merchants, who wanted to create local industries and reduce reliance on foreign imports. A piece like this gives us insight into the economic and social dynamics of the 18th century, when consumer goods became more widely available, but many nations also sought to develop local manufacturing. To understand more, we might look into the archives of the company to learn about its investors or study trade records to understand the flow of goods in Europe at the time.