Golden oriole (one of a pair) 1740 - 1741

These Golden Oriole figures were made in Meissen, Germany, in the 18th century out of hard-paste porcelain. What can these birds tell us about the culture that produced them? Well, the Meissen factory was Europe’s first producer of true porcelain, a closely guarded secret previously known only in China. With its pure white color and ability to be molded into complex shapes, porcelain was a potent symbol of wealth, luxury, and refined taste. The factory itself was founded by the King of Poland, who sought to use porcelain production to boost the economy of his electorate. Figures like these orioles would have served as table decorations, and the whiteness of the medium would have provided a visual link to the sugar sculptures that adorned aristocratic tables at the time. By studying sources from the period, such as trade records and aristocratic inventories, we can better understand the role this art object played in its own time.