Cup and saucer c. 1924 - 1926

This delicate cup and saucer were produced by the Waechtersbach Earthenware Factory in Germany. While undated, the design reflects a longer history of European fascination with patterns of the East, as well as German industrial capabilities. The blue and white checkerboard motif is deceptively simple; it speaks to the West’s aesthetic appropriation of global cultures, and specifically, to a history of trade, colonialism, and the reimagining of foreign cultural symbols. Drinking from this cup is an intimate experience, one that connects the individual to broader social dynamics. The factory-made nature of the piece also represents the rise of consumer culture, and Germany’s place within it. This cup and saucer carry an emotional weight too, evoking the comfort and social rituals associated with sharing a beverage.