Coffee Cup c. 1740

Here we have a coffee cup crafted by an anonymous artist, a piece that invites us to consider the interplay between form and function. The cup presents itself as an octagonal prism with each facet serving as a canvas for low-relief ornamentation. Notice how the white glaze unifies the form, yet the textured surfaces introduce shadow and depth, complicating our perception of the object's shape. The handle, a sinuous curve, disrupts the geometric rigidity, offering a tactile counterpoint. What stories do these emblems tell, and how do they intersect with the cup's purpose? It is in this tension—between the cup's utilitarian role and its decorative ambition—that the work intrigues. It encourages reflection on how objects mediate our relationship with culture and daily life.