Kop, beschilderd met ornamentband, waaraan een bladguirlande en een bloemboeket hangen c. 1774 - 1778

This is a porcelain cup, painted with decorative bands and floral garlands, made in Loosdrecht, likely in the late 18th century. The cup's delicate form and painted decoration speak to the fashion for fine porcelain that swept through Europe at this time. Loosdrecht was home to one of the earliest Dutch porcelain factories, established to compete with the dominance of Meissen and Sèvres. The floral motifs and refined aesthetic reflect the influence of French Rococo, a style embraced by the European elite. Porcelain cups like these were luxury items, symbols of status displayed and used in fashionable tea ceremonies. Understanding this cup requires considering the economic and social conditions of the time, researching the history of the Loosdrecht factory, and studying the dissemination of artistic styles across Europe through the trade of luxury goods. Appreciating this artwork lies in recognizing its place within a complex web of social, economic, and artistic exchanges.