cup & saucer

Chelsea Porcelain Factory c 1745 - c 1770

Summary

Public: Teacup and saucer, soft paste porcelain, painted in purple, green, white and iron red overglaze enamels and gilt against underglaze blue ground. Private: Fluted teacup with scalloped rim tapering to concave narrow base. Sides divided into vertical panels of alternating white and underglaze mazarine blue, separated by double bands of gilt, blue panels painted with gilt floral sprigs, white panels with different trophies in grey/green enamel with white details, suspended on purple ribbons. Trophies include shields, standards, weapons and musical instruments. Blue band round base of cup with gilt border, gilt dentil border to cup rim and detail to handle. Single green and red floral sprig in cup interior. Deep fluted saucer with circular footring and scalloped rim, with same decoration of alternating white and blue panels radiating from central circular medallion painted with two green and red sprigs and enclosed by blue and gilt border. Blue bands painted with gilt sprigs of flowers, white bands with different military and musical trophies. Gilt dentil border to rim.