Saucer 1710 - 1730

This small, elegant saucer was made at the Saint-Cloud factory in France, a center of porcelain production during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. At first glance, it appears to be a simple piece of decorative art but it encapsulates a complex moment in the history of global trade and cultural exchange. The blue and white design imitates Chinese porcelain, which was highly prized and fashionable in Europe at the time. European manufacturers sought to replicate the look of these valuable imports, often incorporating their own interpretations of Asian motifs. The cultural appropriation evident in this saucer speaks to the power dynamics of the colonial era, where European societies eagerly consumed goods and aesthetics from other parts of the world, often without understanding or respecting their original contexts. The creation of pieces such as this saucer, which catered to elite tastes, reflects the aspirations and values of a society undergoing significant transformation, where global trade was becoming an increasingly important aspect of life.