Saucer c. 18th century

This delicate saucer was made anonymously, using refined white porcelain. The surface is decorated with painted floral motifs. Porcelain is created by firing clay at extremely high temperatures. This results in a vitrified material, prized for its translucence, hardness, and smooth surface. To achieve this level of quality requires sophisticated kiln technology and precise control over the firing process. The decoration is applied by hand. The anonymous status of the maker speaks to a production system in which individual artistry was often submerged within a larger workshop or factory setting. Ceramics like this one have often been overlooked, seen as simply functional or decorative, not ‘art’. But by focusing on the materials, processes, and social context of its making, we can appreciate the deep cultural significance of this everyday object. It exemplifies how craft practices are tied to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption.