Feeding Cup c. 1760

This feeding cup, of unknown origin, presents a compelling study in form and function. The eye is immediately drawn to the contrast between its rigid, geometric body and the fluid, organic floral motifs rendered in cobalt blue against the stark white porcelain. The cup's design disrupts conventional notions of utility, challenging our assumptions about how objects should serve their purpose. The spout, projecting at an oblique angle, introduces an element of asymmetry, destabilizing the cup's otherwise balanced composition. Note how the handle, adorned with simple blue dots, provides a counterpoint to the dense floral pattern, creating a visual tension that enlivens the object. The anonymous artist's strategic deployment of line, shape, and color transcends mere decoration. It speaks to a deeper engagement with the semiotic potential of everyday objects, inviting us to question the boundaries between art and utility, form and function.