Cup and saucer 1780 - 1795

This cup and saucer were made around 1775 by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Germany. These objects are emblematic of the social and cultural shifts of the late 18th century, as porcelain production transformed from an aristocratic monopoly to a burgeoning industry. Note the picturesque ruin painted on each piece. This motif reflects a broader cultural fascination with the past and the aesthetics of decay that gained popularity at the time. Consider the cultural context of Germany in the late 1700s, with its emerging middle class and their aspirations for refinement. The taste for porcelain tableware developed alongside the rise of coffee houses and the culture of conversation. This cup and saucer are not merely functional objects, but symbols of social status and cultural capital. Understanding this artwork requires delving into the archives of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory, examining trade records, and analyzing the social history of collecting. Only then can we fully appreciate the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society in the 18th century.