Coffeepot 1773 - 1783

This Coffeepot was created by the Baden-Baden Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory. Think about the rituals and social dynamics that surround the consumption of coffee. This coffeepot offers a glimpse into the world of class, colonialism, and trade. As coffee became a sought-after commodity, its consumption was directly connected to colonial expansion and the exploitation of labor in coffee-producing regions. Consider how the coffeepot, an object of domesticity and gathering, is also tied to global economic and political structures. The floral patterns are not just decorative, they evoke a sense of luxury and exoticism, masking the often brutal realities of colonial trade. It invites us to reflect on our everyday habits and their connections to broader historical narratives of power, extraction, and exchange.