Coffee cup (part of a service) 1755 - 1765

This coffee cup was made at the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, in Italy, sometime between 1737 and 1896. It’s made of porcelain, a strong, vitreous ceramic prized for its translucence, and decorated with sprigging, the process of applying pre-formed clay ornaments to a ceramic body. The Doccia factory was founded by Marchese Carlo Ginori, who aimed to create porcelain that rivaled Meissen, the famous German manufacturer. While Meissen mined their own local clay, Ginori was committed to using local materials, and the distinctive body of Doccia porcelain reflects this. The cup’s sprigged decoration depicts a classical scene, showcasing Doccia’s skill in modeling and firing complex forms. Notice the crisp details of the figures and the dramatic sense of depth achieved through the sprigging technique. It is precisely these qualities, alongside the relative refinement of porcelain, that elevate this material and its forms to something more than just craft. This cup reminds us that even everyday objects can be sites of great technical and artistic innovation, and how the value of things resides in the labor and the material from which they are made.