Kop, beschilderd met figuren in landschappen. Onderdeel van een servies c. 1759 - 1771

This delicate porcelain cup, painted with figures in landscapes, was made at the Weesper factory, part of a larger service. The cup is made from kaolin clay, prized for its pure white color and ability to be fired at high temperatures, resulting in a translucent, refined material. The decoration, applied over the glaze, depicts figures and landscapes in vibrant colors, achieved through careful layering and firing of enamel paints. Creating porcelain like this was an incredibly labor-intensive process, involving multiple stages of forming, firing, and hand-painting. Each step required skilled artisans, making these objects luxury items. Porcelain production was also deeply tied to global trade networks, with raw materials sourced from distant lands. By focusing on the materials and making of this cup, we can appreciate the complex social and economic forces that shaped its creation.