Cup 1725 - 1740

This porcelain cup was made by Meissen Manufactory. The cup presents a study in contrasts, where the delicate porcelain is juxtaposed with painted scenes in iron-red and black. Notice how the main pictorial panel is framed by rococo cartouches, its curvilinear form balanced by the cup's classical shape. Within, stylized figures are depicted with fine, almost calligraphic lines. The scenes, rendered in a monochromatic palette, serve as miniature windows onto idealized landscapes. The cup's lip and base are edged with gold bands, underscoring its preciousness. The interplay between form and decoration highlights a fascination with chinoiserie motifs. In the context of its time, this cup functions as more than a mere drinking vessel; it’s a signifier of status, a surface for cultural projection and aesthetic experimentation. Its enduring appeal lies in this complex interplay between form and image, object and idea.