Cup and saucer 1760 - 1770

This cup and saucer were made in Germany by the Meissen Manufactory. The cup and saucer have a floral design. The floral design is very similar to those found in East Asia. During this time, porcelain was referred to as 'white gold' due to the difficulties faced by European potters in creating porcelain that matched the quality of Chinese and Japanese artisans. Porcelain became an important symbol of wealth and status for the European elite. The Meissen factory was instrumental in the industrialization of Germany, leading to important implications in the economic development of Europe. Understanding more about the history of decorative arts helps us learn about patterns of global trade and exchange during the 18th and 19th centuries. Resources such as trade records, and historical society documents are invaluable in this process.