Coffee cup (part of a service) 1755 - 1765

This coffee cup is part of a service crafted by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory between 1737 and 1896. Notice how the cup's surface is adorned with a relief depicting a classical scene, likely a bacchanal or mythological narrative. The high contrast between the white porcelain and the dark relief creates a dramatic visual effect, emphasizing the intricate details of the figures and foliage. The composition is carefully balanced, with the figures arranged dynamically around the cup, inviting the viewer's eye to travel around the object. The cup challenges fixed meanings by embedding within a domestic object references to grand narratives. Consider the cup's functionality versus its ornate decoration; it elevates the everyday act of drinking coffee into a moment of aesthetic contemplation. This fusion of form and function reflects a broader cultural engagement with classical themes, where the cup functions as a site of ongoing interpretation.