Cup with cover 1682

This silver cup with cover was crafted by Thomas Jenkins in England at the turn of the 18th century. The delicate engraving, featuring stylized birds and foliage, immediately signals the fashion for Chinoiserie that swept across Europe at this time. But what does this visual language of imitation tell us about the society that produced it? As England grew into a global power, commodities flowed into London from around the world through the agency of the East India Company. Tea, porcelain, and silk became highly sought-after luxuries, and a vogue for all things ‘Oriental’ gripped the popular imagination. Silverware such as this allowed wealthy consumers to emulate the tastes of the court, displaying their cosmopolitan outlook and refined sensibilities. By studying the inventories of estates from this period, and the trade records of the East India Company, we can begin to understand the social aspirations reflected in this elegant, but derivative, design.