Saucer (part of a set) 1730 - 1745

Curator: This porcelain saucer, dating from 1730 to 1745, is attributed to the Meissen Manufactory and resides here at The Met. It’s fascinating how an object meant for everyday use can become such a significant carrier of cultural narratives. Editor: It strikes me as quite charming at first glance – the delicate monochrome scene set against the white porcelain has an almost whimsical feel. There's an appealing strangeness, a blend of formality and playful details in the imagery. Curator: The scene is evocative of Chinoiserie, a European interpretation of Chinese motifs, extremely popular at the time. It speaks to the West's fascination, or rather, imagined vision of the East. Editor: Absolutely. Look at how these figures are rendered – the dress, the conical hats, the fantastical plants, even the depiction of figures that might be read as attendants. There’s a performative aspect to the image; it’s not really about Chinese culture as much as a European construction of it. The figures presented this way feel decidedly placed into that historical tension of appropriation and exoticism. Curator: Right. And it’s important to consider the socio-political context. European royalty and aristocracy were avid collectors of porcelain. Owning pieces like this signified wealth, taste, and an engagement with global trade, however problematic the trade itself might have been. The image flattens very real people to stylized characters and removes much cultural nuance. Editor: Precisely! Even down to the details like the floral ornamentation around the border – an ornamental shorthand for sophistication. We see the projection of power relationships reflected even at the dinner table. To have tea on this would carry with it the story of a world ordered by consumption and empire. Curator: Looking at the interplay between functionality and symbolism is crucial. This object isn't merely a saucer. Editor: It is more than utilitarian, a container brimming with implications. I’ll never look at a delicate saucer the same way again.