Cup and saucer 1775 - 1785

Curator: Here we have an exquisite "Cup and Saucer," dating back to sometime between 1775 and 1785. It's a rococo piece, crafted from delicate porcelain, and right now, it resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Oh, it’s absolutely precious! Just looking at it, I'm whisked away to a powdered-wig party...or a particularly elegant dollhouse tea party! There's an ethereal quality to the cup and saucer, even in this monochrome image. Curator: Yes, the rococo influence is quite prominent. We see that particularly in the delicate painting style and the somewhat playful imagery decorating the surface. Porcelain became an incredibly fashionable and potent status symbol during the 18th century, so something like this wasn’t merely functional. It signified wealth and cultivated taste. Editor: Wealth and cherubs wielding, what, knitting needles? Is that what they are carrying? A delightfully bizarre flex! It strikes me that it looks like more a playful sketch than the kind of ornate gilded thing I usually imagine gracing aristocratic tables. Were they perhaps trying to look like they were being nonchalant, but still incredibly wealthy? Curator: That's a sharp reading. The aristocracy constantly navigated displays of luxury versus the appearance of modesty. The relative simplicity could also speak to evolving aesthetic preferences at the time, even among the elite, who were starting to move away from strictly elaborate displays. The choice of these particular cherubs holding symbols related to textiles is interesting; textiles had major importance for this society. They could refer to home virtues. Editor: Maybe, while enjoying that dainty cup of tea, Madame would contemplate all the linens that needed embroidering? Jokes aside, there's a real tension there, isn't it? High status married to these strangely homespun virtues… Makes one wonder how cozy their lives were. Curator: It provides an interesting contrast, one worth reflecting on for those seeking a connection to that bygone era. Editor: Indeed, this tiny cup seems to be bubbling with the echoes of history! A sweet artifact for curious minds and anyone wanting a glimpse of domestic history.