Cup (part of a service) 1765 - 1775

This porcelain cup was created by the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory, a company that operated in Germany from the mid-18th to early 19th century. The cup is decorated with a monochrome painting of a bird perched on a flowering branch. This simple image speaks volumes about the cultural and economic context in which it was made. Porcelain production in Europe was directly linked to global trade networks, fuelled by colonial expansion. Goods and artistic styles travelled from East to West, leading to the establishment of porcelain manufactories that catered to the tastes of the wealthy elite. The cup is not merely a functional object; it embodies a lifestyle of refinement and leisure, reflecting the social hierarchies of its time. To fully understand the object, we can consult historical records, trade documents, and social histories, and by doing so, we can reveal the complex web of social and institutional forces that shaped its creation.