Cup and saucer 1735 - 1745

This exquisite cup and saucer was crafted by the Meissen Manufactory, adorned with delicate blue-and-white plum blossom motifs. In Chinese art, the plum blossom bravely emerges in late winter, symbolizing resilience and renewal, a powerful emblem of hope amidst adversity. Consider how this motif has traveled through time and across cultures. The plum blossom, or its close cousins like the cherry blossom in Japan, appears on porcelains, silks, and paintings, each time carrying a sense of ephemeral beauty and the promise of spring. The cyclical nature of the seasons, mirrored in the blossoms' annual return, taps into our collective memory, evoking a sense of continuity and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This simple cup and saucer, therefore, is not merely a functional object but a vessel of potent symbolism. Its beauty engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of nature's enduring strength and the beauty found even in the most challenging times.