A Worcester Coffee Cup, circa 1768
This small Worcester bell-shaped coffee cup was decorated in the studio of James Giles with a puce camaïeu bouquet surrounded by floral sprays and sprigs. It has a gilt rim and a grooved loop handle.
The style of flower painting closely follows a Chinese export interpretation of European flower painting on porcelain. Monochrome flower painting was popularised on European porcelain in the 1760s, notably at Sèvres and Meissen.
Provenance: With Albert Amor.
Dimensions: Height 5.7 cm.
Condition: No damage or restoration. From manufacture, there is a minute fully-glazed dimple on the rim and a tiny pinhole to the interior. Minor wear to the gilt rim from use.
In Search of James Giles, Gerald Coke (Micawber Publications, 1983).
James Giles, China and Glass Painter, Stephen Hanscombe (Stockspring Antiques Publications, 2005).
The Stephen Hanscombe Collection: James Giles and his Contemporary Decorators, (Stockspring Antiques Publications, 2014).
Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790: The Zorensky Collection, Simon Spero & John Sandon (Antique Collectors’ Club, 1996).
Price: £295.