Part of a coffee and tea service c. 1774 - 1778

This delicately painted piece is part of a coffee and tea service made by Loosdrecht. During the 18th century, tea and coffee weren't just beverages; they were symbols of social status and colonial power. The elaborate rituals surrounding their consumption were performative acts of wealth and sophistication. But consider, for a moment, the story behind each sip. The sugar sweetening the drink, the porcelain cup from which it's taken, and the tea and coffee themselves all have roots in exploitation and oppression across continents. The idyllic scene painted on the cup masks this brutal reality, presenting a romanticized version of nature, devoid of any trace of human labor or suffering. It invites us to reflect on how aesthetics can both conceal and reveal complex histories of colonialism. What does it mean to hold such beauty in your hands, knowing the price paid for it?