Teabowl and saucer 1780 - 1805

This teabowl and saucer were made by Nyon, using delicate porcelain. The process begins with shaping the clay, a skill refined over generations. The smooth, translucent quality of the porcelain reveals the high firing temperatures required for its creation. What really makes this set stand out is the decoration. The floral patterns and the silhouette on the teabowl aren't just painted on; they're carefully applied decals. This technique allowed for detailed and consistent designs, speeding up the production process, and reflecting the era’s increasing emphasis on efficiency. Think about the labor involved here – from mining the clay to the final firing, to the detailed decoration. Objects like this teabowl and saucer are not just beautiful, but also speak volumes about shifts in production and consumption. They blur the boundaries between art, craft, and industry, inviting us to reconsider these distinctions.