Coffee cup, Bristol, hard paste porcelain, c.1775

This unusual ogee-shaped coffee cup with ear handle is attractively enameled with colourful European flowers. This Deutsche Blumen decoration, the shape of the cup, and the crossed swords mark with dot all show Richard Champion's attempt to imitate contemporary Meissen at his Bristol manufactory.

Bristol had inherited porcelain-making in 1770 after Cookworthy moved from Plymouth. Richard Champion's factory lasted from 1773 until 1781, when enormous losses forced him to sell his patent to a group of Staffordshire potters, later to become New Hall.

Condition: There is a small firing fault and chip to the inside edge. The chip may have started as a firing crack or clay tear, the top of which has broken away leaving a small chip to the inside rim. There is a 2cm hairline at the side of this. No other chips, cracks or restoration, and only slight wear to the enamels with minor kiln speckling on the handle, from manufacture.

Dimensions: Height 2 1/2" (6.4cm)

As Bristol porcelain is relatively scarce and highly collectable, this coffee cup would inform any collection of early English 'true' or hard paste porcelain.