Höfische Vergnügen / Courtly Pleasures

Scenes of gardens and of love, idyllic hunting parties, picturesque farms, and lifelike animal figurines in porcelain were popular motifs in table decoration from the Baroque to the beginning of the 19th century. These worlds in miniature were intended to initiate conversation among the table guests and of course attest to the discerning taste of the hosts. The decorative pieces were, for all intents and purposes, part of the furnishing scheme and finished off the rooms interior as a total work of art down to the last detail. Central to this was the artisanal sophistication and the perfect mastery of the latest techniques, which breathed new life into the miniatures. Following on from Courtly Companions: Pugs and Other Dogs in Porcelain and Faience , now Courtly Pleasures presents the most beautiful table decorations produced by a variety of manufactories, all from the abundant treasures of a southwest German private collection.