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Produced in China for Danish export, this porcelain soup tureen is, at first glance, a fanciful piece with a curving lotus leaf cover and elephant feet, made in imitation of contemporary silver. But the unidentified family crests on either side are a reminder of something much darker - the arts of war. The rather gruesome coat of arms with three human heads atop spears is alternated with famille rose chrysanthemums and peonies in a disturbing juxtaposition. The tureen was originally part of a large dinner service manufactured in the city of Jingdezhen, the principal source of porcelain in the world from the 11 th to the early 18 th century, when Europeans first achieved the very high kiln temperatures necessary to create translucent ceramics.Label Type
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Rococo was an 18th century artistic movement in response to the rigid symmetry of the earlier styles. Characteristics of the rococo style are curvilinear lines, asymmetry, pastel colors, and use of gold and playful or witty artistic themes.Label Type
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In the service à la russe courses are brought out one at a time, and with soup being the traditional first course, the soup tureen became the focal point of the opening ceremony of a meal.