Cup and Saucer c. 1760

This cup and saucer were made at the Sèvres manufactory in France, out of fine porcelain. Notice the bright white ground, the deep cobalt blue, the gilding – all requiring different firings in the kiln. These details speak to the high degree of specialization at Sèvres, which was effectively a state-sponsored laboratory. They sought to perfect the medium, and the cup and saucer show off some of their signature achievements. The decoration has botanical motifs, carefully hand-painted. Each stage would have been a distinct job for a different person within the factory. Sèvres was founded to compete with other European producers of luxury ceramics. As such, objects like these embody the competitive spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the way that national economies were structured around prestige goods. So the next time you drink from a fancy cup, remember that it may have a deeper history.