Cup with cover 1755 - 1775

This is a porcelain cup with cover, made by the Meissen Manufactory in Germany, though its specific date of creation remains unknown. The swirling decoration, the gilded edges, and the delicate floral motifs speak to the fashion for fine porcelain that swept through Europe in the 18th century. Meissen, established in 1710, was the first European factory to successfully produce hard-paste porcelain, previously a closely guarded secret of Chinese manufacturers. The establishment of Meissen, and the production of luxury items like this cup, were directly linked to the economic policies of European monarchs, who sought to emulate the wealth and power of Asian empires through trade and local production. As an art historian, I would research the economic history of 18th-century Europe and the history of the Meissen factory to better understand the social and institutional context of this object. The cup is not just a pretty thing, but a window into a world of trade, power, and artistic exchange.