Teabowl and saucer 1765 - 1775

This delicate porcelain teabowl and saucer were made at the Cozzi Manufactory between 1764 and 1812. The monochrome palette emphasizes the forms depicted: a gathering of figures, rendered with flowing lines and careful shading. Notice how the circular forms of the teabowl and saucer echo the narrative scene, framing the subjects within a contained space. The composition presents a fascinating interplay between interiority and exteriority. While the figures suggest an intimate, perhaps domestic scene, the presence of classical architectural elements and stylized natural forms complicate the setting. Are we witnessing a staged tableau, a moment of leisure, or something more symbolic? The sparseness of color directs our attention to the line work and arrangement of forms, inviting us to decode the relationships between the figures and their surroundings. This teabowl and saucer are not merely functional objects; they are miniature stages upon which stories unfold, reflecting the cultural codes and aesthetic sensibilities of their time.