This thesis investigates the role of porcelain collecting as an influence on the status of women in The Netherlands. This research will span three centuries, from 1650 to 1950. Case-studies have...Show moreThis thesis investigates the role of porcelain collecting as an influence on the status of women in The Netherlands. This research will span three centuries, from 1650 to 1950. Case-studies have been selected on their connection to porcelain or accessibility to their inventories. The collections of these women will be analyzed in the historical context of their time period. By researching these collections, this thesis aims to understand how porcelain served as a symbol of elite status and how this changed through the centuries. The research problem is to gain an understanding of the social value of porcelain. The thesis will provide an introductory historical background where porcelain is explained in the context of ancient China and the labor involved to create the artefacts. The main research about the selected case-studies is organized into 100-year timeframes, where two or more collections will be analyzed and linked to academic literature. The results of my findings will be discussed in the conclusion of this thesis. This thesis will help to contribute to the heritage field by offering an analysis between artefacts, social status and gender.Show less
