Theeservies bestaande uit een blad, theepot, melkkan, suikerpot, spoelkom en elf koppen en schotels, beschilderd met korenbloemen c. 1784

Here is a porcelain tea service, made by Loosdrecht. The set includes a tray, teapot, milk jug, sugar pot, rinsing bowl, eleven cups and saucers, all adorned with cornflowers. Think about tea in the eighteenth-century: it was more than just a drink. It was a ritual, a social performance, particularly among the elite. Tea drinking became associated with gentility and refinement; it spoke of wealth, trade, and global connections. This tea service, decorated with delicate cornflowers, offers a glimpse into the material culture of its time. Porcelain itself was a luxury. This set is a product of the colonial context that shaped European society; the desire for exotic goods and commodities fueled exploration, trade, and often, exploitation. The act of gathering around a table like this allowed for the performance of class and gender roles through carefully choreographed social rituals. While seemingly delicate and decorative, this tea service encapsulates a complex web of historical and social narratives. It reflects the emotional investments and power dynamics embedded in everyday objects and practices.