Cup and Saucer 1751

This porcelain cup and saucer was created by Richard Chaffers & Company, capturing a specific aesthetic and social narrative of its time. These pieces reflect the customs of elite society, depicting leisure and tea drinking. But look closer and you'll see how the narrative unfolds. The imagery isn't just about pastoral elegance; it's a tableau vivant of the era’s complex social hierarchy. Notice the depiction of a Black child on the cup, gesturing towards the seated couple; this alludes to the presence of enslaved people in service of wealthy households. How does this imagery sit with you? Does it make you question the narrative of leisure and luxury? By juxtaposing idyllic scenes with figures symbolizing servitude, the cup and saucer become poignant reminders of the interwoven threads of beauty, privilege, and historical injustice.