Coffeepot (part of a coffee service) 1800 - 1815

This coffeepot is part of a coffee service created by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, established in 1747. Imagine the European elite in the 18th century, captivated by the exotic ritual of coffee consumption. Porcelain, often called "white gold", became the perfect canvas to express status and refined taste. The coffeepot, adorned with classical motifs, reflects the prevailing Neoclassical style, drawing inspiration from ancient Greece and Rome. However, these depictions often romanticized the past, obscuring the historical realities of slavery and colonialism that fueled the coffee trade. While sipping from such vessels, were consumers aware of the human cost involved in producing their coveted beverage? What narratives were left untold in these elegant designs? This coffeepot invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between aesthetics, social class, and historical consciousness. It’s a reminder that even the most beautiful objects can carry the weight of unspoken histories and power dynamics.