Cup with grapevines c. 1800 - 1810

Here is a porcelain cup with grapevines, made by the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur. These pieces weren't just functional; they symbolized status, taste, and a connection to a refined world that was rapidly changing. Consider how items like this cup would have been used within the domestic sphere, often governed by women, and how this object both reflected and reinforced societal expectations around gender and class. The delicate artistry of the grapevine motif, combined with the controlled, geometric form of the cup, speaks volumes about the values of the era. This cup offers a glimpse into the aesthetics and social rituals of its time, embodying a complex interplay of power, identity, and beauty.