Cup c. 1800

This dainty cup was made from porcelain at the Nyon factory between 1780 and 1860. During this period porcelain was the preserve of the aristocracy. The cup’s delicate silhouette, painted in black enamel, alongside garlands of roses and ribbons, speaks to the visual language of elite society. Consider the culture of display and portraiture during this era. The silhouette on this cup represents more than just a likeness; it is a statement of identity, a marker of status and belonging. While the cup seems quite traditional, there is a radical aspect to this form of display. In contrast to painted portraits which were reserved for the upper classes, silhouettes made portraiture available to the emerging middle class by the late 18th century. With its ornamental but functional design, the cup blurs the lines between art object and everyday item, reflecting the increasing commodification of culture. It captures a moment in time when personal identity was literally being consumed and displayed.