Cup and saucer 1725 - 1745

This is a faience cup and saucer, made around the 1720s in the workshop of Charles Fromery, a prominent figure in the Berlin art scene. Its delicate decoration gives us a glimpse into the world of aristocratic taste and social rituals in the 18th century. The cup and saucer are adorned with elaborate landscape scenes, floral ornaments, and gilded details. These elements evoke a sense of luxury and refinement, reflecting the values of the Prussian court, which was keen to emulate the artistic trends of other European centres. The porcelain industry was heavily subsidized by the state, which hoped to promote national prestige. Such pieces were status symbols and the preserve of the elite. Drinking tea or coffee from such a cup was a social ritual which reinforced the hierarchy of the court. To fully appreciate the cultural significance of this cup and saucer, it’s necessary to explore archival documents such as royal inventories, workshop records, and period publications which shed light on the production, patronage, and consumption of decorative arts during the reign of Frederick William I.