Riley Coffee Cup, Gilt Chevron Zigzag Pattern, Regency, circa 1815

This is a very charming orphaned coffee cup made by the Bow Porcelain factory in about 1755. The cup is decorated in a Chinese "famille rose" peony pattern. This cup would have been part of a large tea service, and the tiny size shows how expensive coffee was in the 18th Century. The Bow Porcelain Factory was one of the first potteries in Britain to make soft paste porcelain, and most probably the very first to use bone ash, which later got perfected by Josiah Spode to what is now the universally used "bone china". Bow was the main competitor of the Chelsea Porcelain Factory, but where Chelsea made very fine slipcast porcelain, Bow made a different soft paste porcelain that tended to be softer and could be pressed into moulds. Bow served a larger public generally at lower prices. The factory was only in operation between 1743 and 1774, after which the tradition got incorporated into some of the later famous potteries such as Worcester and Derby. The cup is unmarked, which is normal for Bow items of this era. Condition report the cup is in excellent condition without any damage or repairs. There are various glazing imperfections, which are quite normal for porcelain of this era. Antique British porcelain...

This is a beautiful orphaned teacup made by Spode in about 1810. It bears a lavish Japanese-inspired Imari pattern. Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by British potters ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china, which had come to an end around that time, with their own designs. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware. Spode porcelain is regarded as one of the highest quality porcelains around; for a soft-paste porcelain it is surprisingly hard and fine, and has a wonderful bright white colour. The pattern on this can is called "Dollar" pattern, a very famous pattern that was used by English potters in the 18th and early 19th Century. It is obvious why it is called “dollar” - but its origin is less obvious! It is thought that this pattern was derived from a very old Chinese pattern depicting a tree with elaborate foliage that hides a Chinese character representing longevity or happiness. Traditionally, this went with a an image called “Taotie”, which was used on very ancient bronze vases...

PLEASE NOTE THE NUMBER OF TRIOS IN THIS SERVICE HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM SIX TO FOUR, AND THE PRICE HAS BEEN REDUCED ACCORDINGLY. IT NOW IS AN 18-PIECE SERVICE. This is spectacular full tea service for four made by New Hall around the year 1810. The service consists of a teapot with cover, a sucrier with cover, a milk jug, four trios each consisting of a teacup, a coffee can and a saucer, a cake plate (saucer dish) and a slop bowl. The set is decorated in the super-charming and popular but very rare Elephant pattern...

This is a very rare and stunning coffee cup and saucer made by Derby in about 1785. The set has a white ground with graceful gilding, and two stunning little landscapes painted by Za...

Very beautiful vintage Italian white porcelain with gold gilt coffee or tea cup(s) by designer Richard Ginori, Italy, circa mid-20th century, circa 1960s. Colors include: gold gilt a...

An exceptional French Paris porcelain tea cup complete with its original undertray, of outstanding quality. First quarter of the nineteenth century. Exquisitely painted with Class...

White and gilt neoclassical cupid arrow cup & saucer. Empire period designed white and gilt porcelain Valentine cupid's arrows and floral sprays. Under-glaze marks for Vienna. Aust...

Antique Chinese cup & saucer, circa 1840.