Kop 1774 - 1784

This is a Loosdrecht cup, its date unknown, made using porcelain. This delicate object opens a window into the intricate dance between luxury, labor, and social identity in the 18th century. European porcelain production was deeply entangled with colonial trade routes, fueled by the exploitation of resources and labor in distant lands. The desire for these refined, delicate objects spoke volumes about one's status. This cup’s floral decoration and refined design also bring forth questions around gender and consumption; porcelain was closely associated with elite women and their domestic lives. Consider the hands that shaped this cup and the social hierarchies it represents. It is a reminder of the complexities inherent in objects of beauty and desire.