Buddhist Divinity 1713 - 1725

This small porcelain figure of a Buddhist Divinity was created by the Meissen Manufactory in Germany. The Meissen factory, established in the early 18th century, was the first to produce porcelain outside of Asia, so this sculpture encapsulates Europe’s early fascination with the East, and with the commodification of spirituality. Looking at the image, the figure is depicted in a seated position, with a broad smile, but its black coloring is likely not accurate to actual Buddhist depictions. The floral patterns on the robe are Western in design. During this period, European art was heavily influenced by trade and colonialism, leading to a wave of what we now call "Orientalism." This Divinity, therefore, reflects more about European perceptions and fantasies of the East, than authentic Buddhist beliefs. To understand this piece better, we can research the Meissen Manufactory, the history of porcelain production, and the broader context of Orientalism in 18th-century Europe. In so doing, we recognize that this artwork’s meaning is highly contingent on its social and institutional context.