Coffee Cup

Date1759-1769

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumPorcelain, Soft-paste

DimensionsOverall: 2 3/4 x 3in. (7 x 7.6cm); Diameter with handle: 3 1/2in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1976-46,1A

DescriptionSoft-paste porcelain coffee cup with slightly everted rim, feather or scale shaped molded decoration in relief on lower two-thirds of the cup. The relief pattern has overglaze painted decoration in blue, pink and purple enamels. Gilt highlights were also applied to each scale or feather. The upper third of the cup is painted with a bird surrounded by branches. There is a line of gilding on the rim of the cup and on the foot. Inside the cup there is a painted spray of blue flowers on the bottom. The handle is a Rococo style, molded scroll which has been highlighted with gilding.
Label TextThe exotic bird decoration on these cups and saucers is less important than the brightly enameled scales that resemble peacock feathers. The feather motif is made more effective on the cups because each brightly colored scale is also molded in relief. The combination of exotic birds and peacock feathers is recorded on plates whose rim decoration is formed by the feathers. Peacock feather decoration used without the birds appears very successfully on a recorded covered broth bowl and stand.
MarkingsAnchor painted in gold on reverse
ProvenanceEx. Coll: Lady Corah, Leicester and Sevenoaks, Kent, Sotheby & Co., July 20, 1971
Purchased from: Christies on February 23, 1976
Purchased from: Tilley & Co., London