Tea Bowl and Saucer c. 1775

The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company created this 'Tea Bowl and Saucer' using porcelain, displaying a decorative approach typical of its time. Observe the composition. The eye is immediately drawn to the symmetrical arrangement of floral motifs in gold, pink and green against a white ground. There’s a contrast between the bowl’s contained form and the saucer’s open, radial design. The scalloped edges add a tactile quality, softening the otherwise rigid symmetry. Structurally, the floral patterns are not merely decorative; they engage with ideas around luxury and refinement, reflecting the ritualistic nature of tea consumption in the 18th and 19th century. The porcelain itself functions as a signifier of wealth and status. The translucence of the material and the delicacy of the painted designs emphasize its preciousness. Consider how this piece destabilizes the concept of utilitarian objects by elevating them to an art form. The Tea Bowl and Saucer is an ongoing dialogue between form and function, art and life, luxury and the everyday.