A rare Worcester armorial Cup, circa 1758-62
This rare Worcester cup is finely potted with a plain loop handle, the interior painted in black and lilac with the arms of Beauville.
Representing a Worcester version of a Meissen interpretation of a Japanese design, the exterior is beautifully painted with a Kakiemon dragon approaching two land crabs flanked by flowering plants and winged insects. The interior rim is decorated with an iron red border of tight scrolls and gilt flower heads.
Underglaze blue crossed swords and 9. mark.
The placing of the arms within the interior of the cup is most unusual.
A cup and saucer from this service formed part of the Zorensky Collection, where it is recorded that only four other pieces survive, of which this cup is one.
Provenance: Pitchford Hall, Shropshire; the Sarah Miles Collection, New York; an English Private Collection.
Condition: The condition is excellent with no damage or restoration. The enamel and gilt decoration is in exquisite order.
Dimensions: Height 4.5 cm
Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790: The Zorensky Collection, Simon Spero & John Sandon (Antique Collectors’ Club, 1996).