Coffee cup (part of a set)

Art Historical Context

This delicate coffee cup, part of a larger set, hails from Sarreguemines, France around 1810—a time when the region was renowned for its vibrant pottery production during the Napoleonic era. Crafted in lustreware, a ceramic technique that applies metallic oxides to create a shimmering, iridescent glow reminiscent of precious metals, this petite vessel (just 2 3/16 inches tall) exemplifies the era's blend of functionality and elegance. Sarreguemines faience factories, like those in this Lorraine hub, popularized such wares for bourgeois households, turning everyday rituals like coffee drinking ...