Cup and saucer 1780 - 1790

This porcelain cup and saucer was made in Germany at the Fulda Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory, which operated in the late 18th century. The delicate floral decorations and the portrait medallion on the cup reflect the refined tastes of the period. Fulda, like many German states at the time, was eager to establish its own porcelain production, emulating the success of Meissen and other leading manufacturers. These local factories were often established and supported by the ruling classes. This cup and saucer, with its portrait, likely references a member of that elite class, perhaps even a ruler or patron of the manufactory. Careful study of local archives and social histories would help us to identify the sitter. In this way, we come to understand the social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production in 18th-century Germany.