Antisemitic Porcelain Cup – Europe, ca. 1830

Antisemitic Porcelain Cup – Europe, ca. 1830
A gilt porcelain cup decorated with an antisemitic illustration; with a matching saucer. [Presumably, made at the porcelain factory in Schlaggenwald (currently Horní Slavkov, the Czech Republic), ca. 1830].
A gilt-decorated porcelain cup, with three paw feet and scrolling handle encircling a lion head. Matching saucer, gilt at lip and center. With a hand-illustrated colorful picture: a European parlor where a man in bourgeois attire is sitting, holding a golden coin. Standing by his side is a young man in a military uniform and opposite them, a small figure of a Jew in traditional attire and long side locks, begging for the coin. On the other side of the parlor, a soldier armed with a whip and a sword is guarding a closed door.
This mocking scene, intensified by the lack of proportion between the figures, is unique among antisemitic images popular in the 19th century. Its source of inspiration is uncertain; it may refer to contemporary events or to some literary work, or may emerge from stereotypes associating Jews with poverty, begging and greed.
Maximal height: 11 cm. Diameter of rim: approx. 8.5 cm. Good condition. Chipping to paw feet. Wear and scratches to gilt decorations. Diameter of saucer: approx. 15.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. A later serial number added to bottom of cup and saucer.