Standing cup with cover and stand 1730 - 1740

Curator: Here we have a "Standing Cup with Cover and Stand", a porcelain piece crafted by the Meissen Manufactory around 1730 to 1740. You can find this exquisite sculpture here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: The first thing I notice is the color palette: a delicate teal paired with gilded accents. The interplay of the glossy glaze with the matte porcelain is stunning. And its overall structure is quite unusual, isn't it? Curator: Indeed. Standing cups were quite fashionable as decorative arts at the time. Look at how its creators embed the spirit of the Rococo period within its imagery. It's like seeing a celebration of indulgence. What scenes do you suppose are captured in those panels circling the cup and the saucer? Editor: At a quick glance, I would guess they depict moments of courtly life, of gatherings in manicured gardens. But let’s circle back to that central figure atop the cover, the female allegory holding a… a scepter of some sort? Curator: Good eyes. She's Minerva, goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, but also crafts. This symbolic choice suggests an aspiration for intelligent leadership and cultural power associated with craftmanship. What do you make of this reference? Editor: From a purely formal standpoint, her figure adds verticality to the whole structure, creating visual hierarchy. The piece aims high and projects both strength and grace. Perhaps Minerva symbolizes that the refinement in artistic sensibility translates into the strength of culture. Curator: Well observed. The Standing Cup then, encapsulates a time where beauty was a symbol of strength, culture a form of power. These aren't mere objects, but icons encoding deep societal aspirations and memory. Editor: A fascinating interplay of symbolism and surface, revealing that form isn't separate from meaning. It certainly provides more than a pretty face, so to speak. Curator: Agreed. By examining this artwork, we have delved into the intricate dance of Rococo aesthetics, craftsmanship, and the symbolic aspirations of an era long gone, yet present. Editor: A wonderful journey that connects cultural aspiration and beauty.