Cup and Saucer 1750 - 1775

This delicate cup and saucer were made by the Worcester Factory, though the exact date of their creation remains unknown. The monochromatic design reveals the influence of Chinese aesthetics, a popular trend in European decorative arts of the time, known as Chinoiserie. The scene, with its stylized figures riding cattle, rendered in simple monochrome, evokes a sense of exoticism and pastoral life. These images catered to European consumers' fascination with an imagined Orient. Yet, we might ask, what stories and histories are obscured by these idealized representations? How did they play into the era’s colonial narratives and power dynamics? As you observe this set, consider its role as both a functional object and a canvas reflecting the complex exchange of cultural ideas. It reminds us to reflect on the narratives we consume and the perspectives they often leave out.