Coffee pot with a landscape and flower sprays c. 1780

This coffee pot, decorated with landscape and flower sprays, was made by the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur. The black and white landscape, framed by colourful blossoms, speaks volumes about 18th-century European society. Porcelain itself was a luxury, a symbol of wealth and refinement that catered to an aristocratic clientele. The carefully arranged flowers and idyllic landscape reflect the era’s fascination with nature, shaped by thinkers such as Rousseau. Made in Germany, this coffee pot is an artifact of an increasingly globalized world. The fashion for coffee, the material of porcelain, and the aesthetic of floral decoration all point to the social rituals of consumption and trade that defined European culture. To fully appreciate the art, we delve into the archives, studying trade routes, social customs, and the history of the manufactory itself. It's through this critical lens that we can understand how institutions shape the production and reception of art.