Kop met oor, beschilderd met bloemen en laddermotief c. 1775 - 1778

This delicate porcelain cup was made in Loosdrecht, a Dutch town, at an unknown date. Its decoration features painted flowers and a ladder motif. The cup is an example of the kind of luxury goods that became increasingly popular in Europe from the 18th century onward. Porcelain production was initially centered in Asia, but European manufacturers soon emerged, eager to meet the growing demand from wealthy consumers. Loosdrecht, where this cup was made, was one of the most important centers of porcelain production in the Netherlands. The factory there was founded in 1774 and produced high-quality porcelain for the Dutch market. Floral designs like the ones seen here were extremely popular in the 18th century, reflecting a broader interest in the natural world. The ladder pattern, on the other hand, may have been purely decorative, adding a touch of geometric order to the cup's overall design. Historians of decorative arts consult factory records, pattern books, and trade catalogs. These document the social and economic conditions that shaped the production and consumption of luxury goods like this cup.