A Qianlong Chinese Coffee Cup, decorated in the James Giles studio, circa 1755-65
This Chinese Qianlong coffee cup was made for export to Europe in around 1750. Soon after its arrival in England, the cup was painted in the Giles studio with a butterfly and a bouquet of European flowers, including a pink rose and harebells. The interior base is painted with a single blue flower stem.
Dr Bernard Watney termed this particular style of Giles flower painting as ‘Type B’.
Dimensions: Height 6.5 cm.
Condition: The Giles enamel decoration is in excellent order, with wear to the gilt line rim. No cracks or restoration. There is a flat chip to the inside rim, and smaller chips to the rim edge. One of these has been gilded, which may suggest it occurred post-manufacture but prior to being gilded and enamelled in London. There are typical minor potting and firing flaws.
The Early James Giles and his Contemporary London Decorators, Stephen Hanscombe (Stockspring Antiques Publications, 2008).
European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, 1700-1830, Helen Espir (Jorge Welsh Books, 2005).
The Watney Collection of Chinese Porcelain Decorated in Holland and England (Bonhams, 2003).
Price: £165.