Cup 18th century

Here we have a cup and saucer crafted by the Meissen Manufactory. Although we don't have an exact date, the Manufactory was established in 1710, against a backdrop of shifting European power dynamics. European aristocracy's obsession with Chinese porcelain fueled a clandestine operation by Augustus the Strong of Saxony to unlock its secrets, leading to the establishment of the Meissen factory. This marked not only a pivotal moment in European craftsmanship but also a shift in global trade and cultural exchange. Drinking tea, coffee, or chocolate from such delicate porcelain became a ritual that signified a certain social standing and taste, it was a gendered act performed by women. The hand-painted floral decorations aren't merely aesthetic; they represent a longing for nature and beauty, motifs of identity and status, during an era defined by both opulence and rigid social structures. These pieces speak to the intimacy of domestic life intertwined with public displays of wealth and artistry.