Cup and saucer c. 1790 - 1805

This delicate cup and saucer were crafted from porcelain by the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur. The KPM, as it was known, was a royal manufactory that exemplified the intersection of art, industry, and aristocratic power. Founded in 1763 by Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, the manufactory produced luxury goods intended to enhance the prestige of the Prussian court and generate revenue through sales to the wealthy elite. Floral motifs were a popular decorative choice during this period. The cup's design, therefore, catered to the tastes of its intended audience. This set speaks to the culture of refinement and conspicuous consumption that characterized the 18th and 19th-century European aristocracy. To truly understand this cup and saucer, we need to delve into the social and institutional history of porcelain production, examining account books, royal decrees, and design patterns to reveal the complex web of relationships that shaped its creation.