Teacup and saucer 1770 - 1780

This delicate teacup and saucer were crafted at the Höchst Manufactory. The pastoral scenes depicted upon them feature ducks on the teacup, and turkeys with insects on the saucer – motifs that speak of the era’s fascination with the natural world. These images carry echoes of ancient symbols of fertility and abundance. One recalls the Roman goddess Diana, often depicted with wild animals, or the cornucopia, overflowing with nature’s bounty. Similarly, the turkey, native to the Americas, became a symbol of new-found wealth and exoticism in Europe. But these images, seemingly innocent, might also carry deeper currents. One recalls the vanitas paintings, where insects symbolize the transience of life. Perhaps here too, these creatures hint at mortality, a reminder of life’s fragility amidst the pleasures of tea and porcelain. Such symbols engage us, stirring collective memories and subconscious fears.