Cup and saucer 1778

This saucer was made at the Porseleinfabriek Den Haag. The decoration offers insight into the cultural values of its time. Note how the turkey, a bird native to the Americas, occupies the center. Its presence on a delicate porcelain object speaks to the global trade networks of the time, and the desire to display exotic novelties. The painted ribbon and scattered flowers, however, evoke the fashion of European aristocratic society and the court of Versailles. The Hague Porcelain Factory was only active for about thirty years, and during that time it struggled to compete with larger European manufacturers. This porcelain is more than a simple household object; it reflects the aspirations of a local industry attempting to insert itself into a complex international market. By studying archival documents we can understand how the Dutch context shaped its production and reception.