A Worcester Coffee Cup, circa 1772-75
Almost certainly decorated in the Giles studio, the design on this Worcester coffee cup, with its use of iron-red, underglaze blue and gilt represents a harmonious blending of a Japanese Imari palette with Chinese style painting: sgraffito scrolls on an overglaze blue enamel ground, perhaps representing clouds, and a red monochrome landscape scene within a shaped cartouche, result in a wonderful ‘Chinese Imari’ pattern. Imported examples from China had a ready market in the West.
The monochrome landscape scene links this piece with other examples of Giles decorated Worcester. The interior base is painted with an iron-red foliate design similar to those sometimes found on cups decorated in the Giles atelier.
Condition: Excellent – no chips, cracks or restoration.
Dimensions: Height 6 cm
Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790: The Zorensky Collection, Simon Spero & John Sandon (Antique Collectors’ Club, 1996).