Zurich/Schooren, Z mark with 2 points in underglaze blue, scratchmarks, ca. 1773
Porcelain, on glaze painting and gilding
height 14 cm
Inv. 1894.269.
One response to the ideas of the philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (Geneva 1712-1778 Ermenonville) was the fashion at court for pursuing 'innocent country life'. These pastoral games were reflected in porcelain figures. This little maid of Zurich holding her hymnbook is at once a particularly appealing variation of Gennan court pastoral groups and a document of fashion history. Though it is coloured gold, purple and red her light summer clothing remains modest. The small yellow bonnet is probably a 'Schwefelhütchen (a sulphur cap); such a hat made of straw coated with a sulphur dyed substance was an element of several Swiss costumes.
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