Snake 1865 - 1880

This sculpture, made by Saint-Honoré-les-Bains, probably in France, is a detailed rendering of a snake in glazed earthenware. During the 19th century, the rise of naturalism in art coincided with Europe’s colonial expansion and increasing scientific interest in the natural world. Museums of natural history were founded to display animal specimens from around the globe. And so the market emerged for detailed ceramic reproductions of animals to decorate bourgeois parlors and gardens. Snakes often symbolize danger, deceit, or the untamed forces of nature. But in this context, the snake is domesticated, rendered as a decorative object. It represents the 19th century desire to classify and control the natural world through scientific study and artistic representation. By studying the cultural context, and the history of institutions such as museums, we can better understand this sculpture not just as an artwork, but as a historical artifact embodying the values and beliefs of its time.