Coffeepot (part of a service) 1775 - 1790

This coffeepot was made by the Meissen Manufactory, a German company, and it is an example of the kind of luxury goods being produced for the aristocracy. The image of exotic birds isn't just decorative. It speaks to the global trade networks of the time, and the way that the wealthy were consuming images and goods from far-off lands. The Meissen Manufactory was one of the first to produce porcelain in Europe, and they were heavily patronized by royalty and elites. This coffeepot would have been part of a larger set, used in elaborate social rituals around coffee drinking. Historians can look at the designs, materials, and the context of its production to understand the social and economic forces at play. Researching things like trade routes, social customs, and the patronage of the manufactory can help us understand the cultural significance of this object.