Tass à glace (custard or ice cream cup) 1771

This exquisite custard cup, or *tasse à glace*, was created by François-Joseph Aloncle in the 18th century. Aloncle was working in a period where decorative arts flourished under royal patronage, reflecting the opulence and social rituals of the French aristocracy. What strikes me about this piece is how it entwines nature with nobility. The delicate bird motifs, rendered with precision, exist within the confines of the porcelain, and speak to the values of the elite. These cups were part of elaborate dining rituals enjoyed by the upper classes, who saw themselves as arbiters of taste and refinement. Aloncle’s piece offers a glimpse into the performance of identity, where even the act of eating dessert was laden with social meaning. These objects of beauty and status remind us of the complex interplay between aesthetics and societal values, inviting reflection on the enduring power of art to both reflect and shape our world.