Teacup and saucer 1770 - 1780

This teacup and saucer were made in Germany by the Höchst Manufactory in the 1700s. They're crafted from porcelain, a refined ceramic material prized for its delicate appearance and smooth surface. The process of creating porcelain is labor-intensive, involving the careful mixing of clay, firing at high temperatures, and skilled hand-painting. The images of fowl give the pieces a lighthearted touch. Yet these table wares reflect a complex web of social and economic relations. Porcelain production depended on the extraction of raw materials, the division of labor within the manufactory, and the desires of wealthy consumers who acquired such refined wares. By attending to the material and making of this teacup and saucer, we gain insight into the culture of 18th-century Europe, where artistry and industry converged in the creation of beautiful, functional objects. This blurs the boundaries between craft, design, and social history.