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Pair of baskets

MENNECY PORCELAIN FACTORY, Mennecy (manufacturer)
Pair of baskets
 (1750-1755)

Medium
porcelain (soft-paste)

Measurements
3.6 × 10.2 × 7.7 cm (each)

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Patricia Begg OAM Bequest, 2024

Gallery location
17th & 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International

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About this work

During the eighteenth century personal hygiene was not what it is today and regular bathing remained uncommon. To counteract the bodily odours that arose as a result of this, the process of perfuming interiors became an important task. The burning of pastilles in baskets such as these was used to deodorise rooms and hide unsavoury smells, in addition to the use of potpourri.

Artwork Details

Accession Number
2024.449.a-b

Department
International Decorative Arts

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