Milk pot (?) (part of a coffee service) 1800 - 1815

This milk pot was made at the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, a company that has been producing exquisite porcelain since the mid-18th century. Porcelain is created by firing specific types of clay at extremely high temperatures. The result is a material that is strong, yet delicate and translucent. Here, the porcelain is decorated with neoclassical motifs in a monochrome palette, then accented with gilt. Consider the amount of labor involved: from mining and processing the raw materials, to the skilled artistry required for shaping, firing, and decorating the pot. Porcelain production was, and remains, a highly specialized industry, relying on the expertise of skilled workers. The value of this milk pot extends beyond its utilitarian function, reflecting social status, taste, and cultural capital. It is a reminder that even everyday objects can embody significant cultural and economic meaning.