Vase 1690 - 1715

This vase, decorated in underglaze blue, was made at the Saint-Cloud factory, active from 1693 to 1766, a period when French artisans grappled with emulating and innovating upon Asian porcelain. The factory existed in a society deeply structured by class, where the display of luxury goods, like this vase, played a crucial role in signaling social status. Notice how the blue and white aesthetic deliberately references Chinese porcelain, which was highly coveted in Europe. Yet, the French artisans at Saint-Cloud developed their own unique style, blending Asian influences with European decorative traditions. The scenes depicted are not direct copies of Chinese motifs but rather interpretations filtered through a European lens. How does this vase reflect the complex dynamics of cultural exchange and adaptation during the early modern period, where imitation and innovation intertwined in the pursuit of luxury and prestige?