Teabowl and saucer 1770 - 1775

This teabowl and saucer were produced by the Cozzi Manufactory, an Italian porcelain company that operated between 1764 and 1812. The set reflects the 18th-century European fascination with Asian ceramics, particularly Chinese porcelain, but it also speaks to the complexities of global trade and cultural exchange. During this period, tea drinking became deeply embedded in European social rituals, symbolizing status and refinement. But it’s hard to ignore that this ritual was made possible by the exploitation of labor and resources in Asia and elsewhere. The teabowl and saucer are decorated with floral patterns and a shield, referencing both Eastern aesthetics and the symbols of European aristocracy. These objects invite us to think about the intersection of commerce, culture, and power that shaped our world. They remain as testaments to both beauty and the complicated networks of exchange and extraction that underpinned their creation.