Cup

Art Historical Context

This delicate porcelain cup, crafted in China between 1825 and1850 specifically for the American market, the booming trade in export wares during the early 19th century. just 2 9/16 inches tall with a 3 1/2-inch diameter, its petite scale suggests it was designed for intimate use, perhaps for tea or chocolate in affluent American households. The motifs of eagles and men, hinted at in its decoration, reflect patriotic American symbolism—eagles as emblems of freedom—adapted by Chinese artisans to suit Western tastes. Chinese export porcelain like this reached peak popularity in the U.S. amid gr...