tea cup

Summary

Public: 'London' shape teacup, bone china, painted in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze enamels and gilt with fruit and flowers. Private: London shape teacup of conical form, tapering to concave curve round lower body, and narrow flared foot. Cup has wide cobalt blue band both sides of rim, decorated on interior with gilt patterns between heart shaped motifs, edged at bottom with simple scrolls. Blue on exterior decorated with two narrow horizontal gilt bands with tiny circular and oval reserves revealing blue beneath. Main body decorated with elaborate gilt patterning leaving three white oval reserves. Two reserves painted in bright enamels with groups of fruit, one with group of flowers. Angular curved loop handle, with thumb rest at top curving inward, picked out in gilt. Gilt band round foot. Well painted with group of fruit.