Saucer (1 of 6) (part of a service) 1715 - 1725

This porcelain saucer is part of a service made by the Meissen Manufactory, and now resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The eye is immediately drawn to the circular form, pristine white surface, and delicate gold embellishments that create a luxurious yet fragile presence. The composition features a central medallion with stylized figures, surrounded by intricate floral and geometric patterns along the rim. Note how the crack lines add a layer of complexity, disrupting the original design and introducing a sense of temporality. This prompts us to consider the object’s history and the transformations it has undergone. Considering semiotics, the gold decoration functions as a signifier of wealth and status, while the whiteness of the porcelain denotes purity and refinement. The deliberate act of repairing the saucer, instead of discarding it, imbues it with new meaning, challenging traditional notions of value and preservation. Ultimately, this saucer is not merely a functional object, but a site of ongoing interpretation, where ideas of beauty, fragility, and cultural value intersect.