Tasse mit Untertasse "Ohr, Auge, Mund"

The cup has a conical shape (kalathos [wool basket]), with the upper rim merging into the curved, loop-like handle (Campanian handle). Golden decorative stripes extend around the foot and lip rims and down the sides of the handle. Starting from the lower base of the handle, a floral volute develops on both sides. On the front, arranged as a triangle, an ear, an eye and a mouth are painted. A hand with an outstretched index finger is placed over the mouth. The saucer is plain white with a narrow gilded trim around the edge. The motif of ear, eye and silent mouth illustrates the motto "Audi vide tace", as "Hear, See and Silence" is the motto of the English Freemasons. Also the triangle of the arrangement points to Freemasonry. The cup was created at a time when Friedrich Philipp Rosenstiel (1754-1832), a Freemason, was director of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin. (MB)