Jar with cover 1725 - 1755

This is a delicate, covered jar, standing about 4 inches tall, made by the Saint-Cloud factory in France. Notice how the creamy white porcelain is not merely a surface, but a three-dimensional canvas. Delicate sprigs of flowers, rendered in bas-relief, encircle both the cylindrical body and the dome-shaped lid. The absence of color directs our attention to the subtle play of light and shadow across the raised floral motifs. The structure of the floral design serves as a semiotic system. The individual flowers and branches are not merely decorative; they are signs referencing the broader cultural fascination with nature and refinement. This jar embodies a sense of contained elegance, characteristic of the period. Consider how the artist destabilizes the conventional relationship between form and surface, challenging us to see beyond mere functionality. This porcelain jar becomes a site of artistic expression, reflecting a discourse of luxury and sophistication that was taking shape in Europe.