Cup and Saucer c. 1750 - 1800

This cup and saucer were created by Manifattura Ginori in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, using porcelain and enamel. Notice how the delicate floral motifs, with their vibrant reds, yellows, and blues, create a lively, asymmetrical composition. The artist contrasts the hard, smooth surface of the porcelain with the organic, flowing forms of the flowers. The cup and saucer, while functional objects, transcend mere utility through their decoration. We might consider how the decoration challenges traditional hierarchies between the fine and decorative arts. The careful arrangement of these floral elements invites us to consider the interplay of form and function, as well as how everyday objects can become sites of artistic expression. The absence of strict symmetry challenges fixed notions of beauty and order, as we are encouraged to find harmony in asymmetry. Ultimately, the charm of this cup and saucer lies in its destabilization of established artistic categories, inviting ongoing interpretation of form and function.