Cup and saucer 1765 - 1775

This porcelain cup and saucer, crafted by the Kloster-Veilsdorf Porcelain Manufactory, is adorned with painted floral motifs, emblems that speak to centuries of symbolic language. Here, the flowers aren't mere decoration; they are carriers of meaning. The rose, for instance, with its layered petals, often symbolizes love, beauty, and transience, tracing back to ancient Greek and Roman associations with Aphrodite and Venus. Notice how the vine-like border, meanders across both pieces, a pattern echoed in classical friezes, representing continuity and the cyclical nature of life. These motifs resurface in Dutch still life paintings, and even in the floral patterns of Victorian textiles. Such patterns touch something deep within us, a collective memory of shared human experiences. The simple act of drinking from this cup becomes imbued with the weight of history, an engagement with symbols that have shaped our understanding of the world for millennia. They reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.