Cup and saucer 1735 - 1745

This delicately painted cup and saucer were made at the Meissen Manufactory, which began production in 1710. What I find particularly fascinating about this object is how it reflects the intertwined themes of power, luxury, and cultural exchange in the 18th century. During this period, porcelain was highly prized in Europe and the knowledge of its production was a closely guarded secret. Meissen, being one of the first European factories to master the process, held a certain cultural and economic power. The cup and saucer, adorned with floral decorations, speaks to the opulence and refinement sought by the aristocratic class. Drinking tea became a ritual and signifier of status. These porcelain objects remind us to consider the history of trade, artistic exchange, and social hierarchies of the period. What was it like to drink from such a cup? What did it signify? What did it mean to desire things? These are the questions objects like this cup and saucer stir in me.