Cup c. 18th century

This small cup was likely made anonymously in China, of porcelain, and decorated with enamel paints. Porcelain is made by firing refined clay at extremely high temperatures. It's a difficult process, often involving a division of labor between those forming the object, firing it, and then decorating it. In this case, floral motifs have been painted over the pristine white surface, in a style that mixes Chinese and Western aesthetics, likely for export. We can consider the cultural significance of porcelain, a highly prized and globally traded material, often associated with wealth and status. The cup embodies the complex social and economic exchanges between East and West, reflecting issues of labor, skill, and global trade. Paying attention to materials, processes, and context allows us to appreciate this cup not just as a decorative object, but as a vessel of meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between art and craft.