Cup (one of a pair) 1720 - 1745

This porcelain cup was created at the Saint-Cloud factory in France, sometime between 1693 and 1766. Saint-Cloud was the first factory in France to produce porcelain and was known for its imitations of Chinese porcelain. The pure white glaze and the texture of raised lozenges evoke the celadon wares of China's Longquan kilns. But it’s more than a mere imitation. We might consider this an early example of cultural appropriation. It’s an appropriation that speaks to the rise of global trade in the 18th century. The French elite desired these goods, and French manufacturers learned how to mimic them. The factories themselves were also sites of social importance, bringing together skilled artisans and laborers. By examining factory records, trade documents, and the objects themselves, we can learn more about the social conditions that shaped the production of this cup.