Cup and Saucer c. late 18th century

Editor: So, this is "Cup and Saucer," dating from the late 18th century and made by Manufacture nationale de Sèvres. It's crafted from ceramic and porcelain and currently resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. What strikes me is the opulence, almost excessive, and also the intense cobalt blue. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: The deep cobalt, indeed, acts as a grounding element amidst the floral abundance. Consider the persistent symbolism of flowers during this era; not mere decoration, but carriers of coded messages. Do you see how each blossom and fruit contributes to a larger narrative of ephemeral beauty and cultivated refinement? Editor: I see the floral and fruit details, but it almost seems like pure decoration, visually pleasing but...perhaps not *that* deep? Curator: Think about the culture that consumed from such objects. Each sip taken wasn't merely about quenching thirst. It was an act imbued with social meaning, signifying status and a connection to cultivated taste. The cup and saucer become silent actors in a social drama. What kind of dialogue might they enable? Editor: I hadn't considered that...like, using them was almost like a performance? And that maybe these images would signal the owner's refined appreciation of nature or art? Curator: Precisely. And notice the classical meander pattern around the base of the cup. It harkens back to antiquity, lending an air of timelessness and intellectual sophistication. Editor: So, it's not just a pretty cup; it’s a statement. A symbol. It represents a world of rituals, messages and carefully chosen symbols, meant to convey elegance. I definitely see the flowers and forms differently now. Curator: And that's how everyday objects whisper stories of their time.