Part of a tea service c. 1782 - 1784

This is a piece of a tea service made of porcelain by Loosdrecht. The painted scene of a rooster with a hen may seem like a simple barnyard image, but it taps into deeper currents of gender and power. In a society where class and status were often symbolized through elaborate displays of wealth, even everyday objects became canvases for asserting dominance. The rooster, a symbol of virility and control, stands proudly over the hen, a traditional representation of female domesticity. This image, replicated across countless decorative objects, reinforced a rigid social structure. Drinking tea from such a vessel was more than a simple act; it was a performance of identity, a subtle nod to the established order. But, what alternative narratives might we find if we look closer? Does the hen represent something more than simple domesticity? These porcelain pieces offer a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity and power that shaped the world around them, reminding us that even the most mundane objects can carry profound social meanings.