Tea cup (part of a service) 1760 - 1765

This porcelain teacup was made by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, which was established in Germany in 1747. This teacup speaks volumes about the social and economic conditions in 18th-century Europe. Porcelain production was a closely guarded secret, and factories like Nymphenburg were often supported by royal patronage. The delicate material and refined decoration, including hand-painted floral motifs and gold leaf, signaled wealth and status. Tea itself was an expensive imported commodity, and the act of drinking tea became a social ritual among the elite. Objects like this teacup offer a glimpse into the lives of those who commissioned and used them. By studying surviving invoices, letters, and other archival documents, we can learn more about the tastes, values, and social networks of the wealthy individuals who fueled the porcelain industry and helped to shape the artistic landscape of the time.