Cup with a willow tree, oxherd and three oxen c. 1680 - 1720

This delicately rendered porcelain cup, adorned with cobalt blue, offers a glimpse into a world where humans and animals are intertwined in the labor of daily life. Created by an anonymous artist, the cup depicts an oxherd guiding three oxen. This imagery is steeped in historical and cultural significance, reflecting the agrarian societies where the relationship between humans and animals was essential for survival. The artist captures a moment in time, where labor, nature, and humanity converge. The cup invites us to reflect on our connection to the land, and the often unseen labor that sustains our lives. It speaks to the identities and histories of those who toiled in the fields. What does it mean to depict this life on a delicate cup? The cup encourages a deeper appreciation for the value of work and the interconnectedness of human and animal lives.