Baluster jar with a seated woman with maids, watching a performance of music and dance c. 1645 - 1660

This baluster jar, of unknown date and origin, is decorated with a scene of a woman being entertained. The main figure, likely a woman of status, is surrounded by maids as they watch a performance of music and dance. The figures are rendered with delicate brushstrokes and fine detail. The scene evokes a sense of tranquility and refinement, yet the women are bound by social expectations and gender roles. These roles were often dictated by the male gaze within the patriarchal structure of the time. The jar is not merely a decorative object, but a reflection of the complex interplay of status, gender and cultural expression. The anonymity of the artist leaves us to contemplate their own position within this societal structure, and whether they sought to reinforce or subvert these traditional representations through their art.