Cup and saucer 1740 - 1745

Editor: This is a Meissen porcelain cup and saucer, dating from around 1740-1745. It’s currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The floral patterns feel so delicate and almost dreamlike in the grayscale photograph. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the subtle symbolism. Consider the lotus flower, prominently displayed. This wasn't a casual decorative choice. It signifies purity, spiritual awakening, rebirth – concepts deeply resonant across cultures, especially in the East, and, during this period, was eagerly being absorbed into Western decorative vocabulary. Editor: So, the choice of the lotus carries significant weight beyond just being aesthetically pleasing? Curator: Precisely. In the 18th century, the Rococo style was fascinated with chinoiserie, an idealized vision of China and other Asian cultures. The lotus, travelling across trade routes, became intertwined with European notions of luxury, spirituality, and the exotic, acquiring new, layered meanings. This cup isn't just holding tea; it holds cultural exchange and aspiration. How do you perceive the two handles on the cup? Editor: I hadn't thought about them symbolically, more in terms of functionality and perhaps a touch of elegance. Curator: Consider them not merely as handles, but as pathways – visual reminders of connection, literally ways of grasping the wider world that this delicate object implies. Do you notice how these symbolic images are still relevant in contemporary design? Editor: I see what you mean! Thinking about the lotus and even the handles now, makes the cup feel timeless. Thank you! Curator: A fresh look at design's cross-cultural, symbol-laden heritage – always rewarding!