Beker, beschilderd met gouden biezen c. 1778 - 1782

This is a porcelain beaker with gold trim made by Loosdrecht. This simple object asks us to consider the context of luxury and class in 18th-century Europe. Porcelain was once known as ‘white gold’, it was a prized material, and the delicate craftsmanship required to produce items like this beaker speaks to a culture of exclusivity. These luxury goods reflected and reinforced social hierarchies. Ownership of such items signified not only wealth, but also taste and refinement. The clean lines and subtle gilding suggest an aesthetic preference for understated elegance, characteristic of the period. Consider how something as simple as a drinking vessel can embody complex social dynamics. It represents the power and privilege associated with certain materials and artistic traditions, while also reflecting the individual stories and social aspirations of those who crafted, owned, and used it.