Cup wit Venus and Amor c. 1762 - 1795

This "Cup wit Venus and Amor" was crafted by the Porzellanmanufaktur Frankenthal. Envision the social rituals around drinking from this cup. Its delicate porcelain and the intimate scenes painted in purple, framed with gilt detailing, create a tableau of love and beauty intended for elite consumption. The cup presents Venus, the goddess of love, alongside Amor, often depicted as her son. What does it mean to see these figures, embodiments of desire, adorning an everyday object? The scene reflects the Rococo period's fascination with classical mythology, using it to explore themes of love, pleasure, and beauty. Yet, these themes were often limited by the social norms of the time, reflecting the complex relationship between desire and societal expectations. This cup invites us to reflect on the ways in which classical ideals have been reimagined. How do representations of love and beauty shift when placed within the confines of a teacup, an object so closely tied to domestic life?