Cup 1720 - 1735

This porcelain cup and saucer, made by the Meissen Manufactory, serves as a window into the global trade and social customs of its time. Originating in Germany, Meissen porcelain was highly coveted among the European elite, symbolizing status and refinement. The intricate Chinoiserie decoration, with its fanciful depictions of Asian motifs, reflects Europe's fascination with the East. Yet, it’s worth noting that these images were often based on imagination rather than accurate portrayals, revealing a complex interplay of admiration and misrepresentation. Consider how the act of drinking tea or coffee from such a delicate object was deeply embedded in rituals of sociability and display. These weren’t merely vessels for consumption; they were statements of identity, performed within the drawing rooms and parlors of the wealthy. The cup reminds us that even the most seemingly innocuous objects carry within them stories of power, desire, and cultural exchange.