Saucer with vertical borders c. 1765 - 1770

This is a porcelain saucer with vertical borders made by Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal. The factory was known for its finely painted wares in the rococo style, perfect for fashionable tea or chocolate services. This particular piece is decorated with vertical stripes in gold and white, as well as blue floral motifs. The gold isn't just paint; it's real gold leaf, painstakingly applied. Notice the precision of the lines, and the delicate rendering of the flowers. These refined details required skilled artisans, and the creation of porcelain like this was a complex, labor-intensive process. Think about the social context too: porcelain was a luxury good, and the demand for it drove intense competition among European manufacturers, each striving to capture the market with ever more elaborate designs. This saucer, in its refined elegance, speaks volumes about the aspirations and taste of its time. It is so much more than just a pretty dish.