Bell-shaped covered cup with a symbolic image of three putti and different objects c. 1750 - 1760

Here we see a bell-shaped covered cup, of unknown origin, adorned with symbolic imagery featuring three putti amidst various objects. These cups, often made of porcelain, were luxury items. They reflect a society deeply invested in both aesthetics and the ritual of consumption. The cup's decoration presents an idyllic, almost allegorical scene. Note the putti, symbols of innocence, playfully blowing bubbles, while other objects allude to classical education. This can be read as a commentary on leisure and learning. How might the presence of putti reflect societal attitudes towards children? Were they simply decorative motifs, or did they carry deeper cultural significance about innocence? Consider the cultural context of the cup’s creation. It embodies an era of refined taste and social stratification. The cup's symbolism might have resonated with the elite. It is possible that the cup invites us to reflect on the values and aspirations of the time, filtered through the lens of childhood.