Saucer c. 1740

Editor: Here we have a saucer, made by Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. It's quite small, only about 11 centimeters across. It features a central scene of a rider on horseback. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Its porcelain surface and ornate decoration stand in stark contrast to the realities of the time. How does this idealized image serve as a tool for projecting power and status? Editor: So, the picturesque scene isn't just pretty; it's making a statement? Curator: Precisely. The leisure depicted masks labor and exploitation. Consider the global trade networks required to produce this seemingly innocent object. Editor: That makes me see it in a totally different light. Curator: It's a reminder that even the most delicate objects can carry complex histories and perpetuate social inequalities. Editor: I’ll never look at porcelain the same way. Thanks!