Antique Porcelain Demitasse Imari Style Coffee Cups

Perfect for a double espresso! These nine "Dollar" pattern porcelain coffee cups are handpainted in the exquisite "Dollar" pattern. Spode made this set in England circa 1820. The dec...

This large cup and saucer were hand-painted by Flight Barr and Barr Worcester at the Worcester Porcelain factory around 1820. The vibrant blue ground features an extraordinary shade ...

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...

19th century Royal Crown Derby demitasse service, Imari pattern #198, in classical Japanese chinoiserie taste having a beautiful painted Imari palett...