Cup and saucer 1765 - 1775

This cup and saucer were produced at the Kloster-Veilsdorf Porcelain Manufactory. These objects are made of porcelain, a highly refined, white clay fired at intense temperatures to achieve a delicate, translucent quality. The surface of the cup and saucer feature painted scenes. Porcelain production in the 18th century was a complex, labor-intensive process. The mining and processing of the raw materials, the shaping of the clay on a wheel, and the decoration all required skilled artisans. These objects, once luxury items, were often adorned with images of leisure and refinement, masking the intensive labor involved in their creation. This dichotomy embodies the tension between the aspirations of the rising middle class and the realities of the labor that fueled their consumption. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the full meaning of this cup and saucer, and challenge distinctions between fine art and craft.