Cup 1774 - 1814

Curator: This is a cup manufactured by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Its exact date of creation is unknown, but it’s now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its elegant shape and the muted, yet vibrant floral design give it an air of refined delicacy. Curator: Porcelain like this was a symbol of luxury and status, especially given the social and labor conditions that supported its production. How do you see that reflected? Editor: The handle’s geometric design offers a fascinating counterpoint to the organic curves of the floral painting. There’s a tension there. Curator: Absolutely, the cup reflects not just aesthetic choices, but social hierarchies and the colonial exploitation of resources and labor required to produce these goods. Editor: I am struck by the cup’s compositional balance and interplay between form and surface design. Curator: Understanding porcelain’s historical context transforms our appreciation of its beauty. Editor: Yes, both the beauty and the implied stories.