Minton First Period Bone China Cup and Saucer pattern 85

A cup full of character and from the first period of Minton 1796-1816.

This cup and saucer most probably dates from 1800-1805 when the bute shape became fashionable.

A similar pattern has been seen as early as 1755 used by the Bow factory, and is inspired by a Japanese style of decoration.

During the first period which lasted around twenty years there were something like 800 patterns recorded, so pattern 85 is quite an early pattern.

Minton used bone china, and was quite an early adopter.  Bone china had been developed by Spode in the late 18th century, and was adopted by most factories after around 1815, but Minton was using it in these original early designs.

A very lovely early example of a Minton pattern, hand decorated with coloured enamels and gilding.  This would have been considered the height of taste and sophistication in Georgian society.

Makers marks:
pattern number 85

Dimensions:
Cup 6.1 cm tall 7.6 cm diam at rim
Saucer 13.6 cm diameter

Weight:
221 g

Age:
215 years

Condition:
Good.  Some wear to the gilding and an age related hairline spider crack in the bottom of the cup

Maker:
Minton first period