Terms and conditions of use
Covered cosmetic pot
(c. 1730)
- Medium
- porcelain (soft-paste)
- Measurements
- 6.2 × 4.4 cm diameter
- Accession Number
- 2024.460.a-b
- Department
- International Decorative Arts
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Patricia Begg OAM Bequest, 2024 - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
These little covered pots, or pots à fard, would have formed part of a toilette service on a dressing table. They contained cosmetics, their form having developed out of the widespread use of beauty products during the eighteenth century. Make-up was generally applied quite heavily, and was used to not only hide blemishes and scars but also disease. The application of make-up, which was worn by both men and women, was an important aspect of the morning toilette and a signifier of status.