Cup from a tea service for twelve 1807 - 1808

This delicate porcelain cup from a tea service was created by Christophe-Ferdinand Caron in the late 18th or early 19th century. The cup is part of a set made during a period when tea drinking was becoming increasingly popular among the upper classes. It reflects a culture of luxury and refinement. The cup is adorned with a hand-painted scene of a rooster in a landscape. The rooster, often seen as a symbol of vigilance and pride, can also represent rural life and agricultural wealth. Consider what it meant to depict elements of the countryside on an object intended for leisurely, indoor use. The tea service, with its detailed artwork and precious materials, speaks to the social rituals and display of status prevalent during that era. Everyday objects such as these are imbued with cultural meaning which speak to how the wealthy saw themselves. They provide insight into their values and aspirations.