Cup and saucer 1766 - 1776

This cup and saucer were produced by the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory. The stark contrast between the monochrome decoration and the white porcelain immediately draws the eye, creating a minimalist yet striking visual impact. The scenes, rendered in precise detail, feature idealized depictions of exotic landscapes and figures, engaging with the 18th-century fascination with the “noble savage” and the distant, unknown lands of the Americas. The cup and saucer employ a circular composition that emphasizes the curvature and shape of the porcelain. This design choice reflects a structuralist approach, where the form of the object dictates the arrangement of the decorative elements. The cup and saucer also employ a semiotic system, using visual signs and cultural codes to convey meaning. The depiction of indigenous peoples and foreign lands serves not merely as decoration, but as a statement about cultural perception, power dynamics, and the exoticization of the other. Through its interplay of form and cultural symbolism, this porcelain piece offers insight into the complex interplay of aesthetics, perception, and cultural narratives.