Cup and saucer 19th century

This cup and saucer was made in Germany at the Höchst Manufactory, which operated from 1746 to 1796, using porcelain, a refined type of ceramic. The translucence and fineness of porcelain lend themselves to delicate forms, like the scalloped edges of this set. Porcelain production was a complex, highly skilled process, and the Höchst factory involved a division of labor. While the forms may have been cast from molds, a specialist would have been responsible for hand-painting the floral decorations, using pigments that would vitrify in the heat of the kiln. The delicate brushstrokes and careful composition reveal an expert hand. Consider the social context of this cup and saucer. In the 18th century, tea and coffee drinking were fashionable social rituals, and owning fine porcelain signified wealth and taste. The rise of porcelain manufactories like Höchst reflects the growth of a consumer culture, in which even everyday objects became canvases for artistic expression. So, next time you take a sip, remember the rich history embedded in your cup.