Small stemcup 1647 - 1703

This stemcup from China is made of porcelain painted with cobalt blue under a transparent glaze. The decoration presents a narrative scene that speaks volumes about the social life of its time. Notice how the figures are arranged, their gestures and clothing, and the objects that surround them. These details offer clues about social status and customs. The refined setting suggests a level of affluence and cultural sophistication. What stories might this stemcup tell about social interactions and domestic life in China at the time it was made? To delve deeper, one might research the decorative arts and social history of China, exploring texts, images, and artifacts that shed light on the cultural meanings embedded in this seemingly simple object. Art like this exists within a specific social and institutional context, and it's up to us to decode its messages.