Saucer c. 1755 - 1760

Editor: So, this is a porcelain saucer, produced by the Höchst Porcelain Manufactory. It's a delicate object, and the floral decorations are charming. I wonder, what can you tell us about its creation and context? Curator: The key here is understanding porcelain production as a trade and a craft. How do the materials—the kaolin clay, the pigments—and the labor involved in firing and painting, elevate this from mere utility to art? Editor: That’s interesting. So it’s about seeing the process and work behind it? Curator: Precisely. Consider where the materials come from, the social status of the artisans, and how these decorative objects were consumed. It reveals a network of production and desire. Editor: It makes me appreciate the object in a completely different way. Curator: Exactly, it's not just a saucer; it's a product of complex material and social relations.