Cup 1708 - 1720

Curator: Let’s talk about this intriguing "Cup," crafted between 1708 and 1720 by the esteemed Meissen Manufactory. Editor: The object, overall, is so fragile, but it is bold because of the striking decorative schema! Is it a bid to be both ornamental and quotidian at the same time? Curator: Well, examining the social context around the early 18th century, this cup, constructed from ceramic and porcelain, likely functioned as both a status symbol and an everyday object. Editor: Yes, a tool within highly ritualized events and therefore performative! Do the decorations hint at the tension of colonial enterprise? Those birds are not native. Curator: Right. The delicate, almost fantastical foliage alongside those distinctly exotic avian forms speak volumes. The Meissen manufactory was one of the earliest to produce porcelain outside of Asia. How did they brand themselves culturally, economically, and symbolically? This design has that question built right in. Editor: I can see that now; it underscores that the politics of taste are anything but innocent. It has implications for modern production and circulation networks also! Curator: Exactly! Considering the materials, the artistry, and the moment in time, the cup invites an examination of the political economy of taste. And, for me, I think this small decorative object shows what’s possible through craft! Editor: I agree completely. Looking again, I can see a multitude of histories captured inside its compact form. Thanks for bringing this object's context to my attention.