Two-handled cup 1735 - 1745

Curator: Ah, yes, here we have an exquisite Two-handled cup crafted around 1735 to 1745 by the esteemed Meissen Manufactory. The porcelain piece now resides here at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: What strikes me is the contrast; it’s somehow both incredibly ornate and surprisingly stark. Like a tiny stage set for a rather serious play. Curator: Precisely! The black monochrome decoration is quite fascinating, defying the more typical vibrant colours often associated with Meissen porcelain. We see a landscape motif, almost a miniature etching. Editor: It does have that etched quality! There's a pastoral scene within that medallion that almost feels like a dreamscape, set off by the geometry of the patterned frames. Makes me think about containment… the way landscapes and lived experience was curated by elites at the time. Curator: That's an insightful point. The aristocracy had a real appetite for such meticulously rendered, idealized views. This type of refined piece showcased social status and the controlled appreciation of the natural world within the confines of a domestic setting. Remember, tea and coffee drinking was becoming increasingly fashionable among the upper class, creating a market for luxury tableware. Editor: It makes you wonder about the hands that held this cup. Was it a leisurely sip, or did the owners fret about shattering such perfection? Did they think about the artistry, or just the status? Curator: All plausible considerations! Objects like these reflect a complex intersection of art, social customs, and economics of their era. Their survival to be shown here allows modern audiences an entry point to the social lives of people who valued finery and aesthetic refinement. Editor: You know, looking at it again, that monochromatic scene almost feels… subversive, set against all the expectations for colourful Baroque decoration of that period. Like a quiet act of rebellion on a tiny scale. Curator: A most thought-provoking consideration. And the beauty of encountering pieces like this Two-handled cup lies in their power to elicit these interpretations from each individual. It allows everyone a new outlook. Editor: Well, this has been a great and fascinating cup of insight to digest and absorb, it truly stirs curiosity.