Regency red and gold Cup and Saucer probably Davenport 1825-30

An unusual and wonderfully busy imari influenced coffee cup and saucer, handpainted in orange red and gold.  

The design has its origins as far back as the Chinese Yongle Dynasty 1402-24, when the first "lotus bouquet" pattern originated which featured these folded over lotus leaves (images 7 + 10) on wavey stems amidst other blooms, stems and grasses.  

This original influence has wound its way though time, copied into Japanese Imari, then taken back by Chinese imari and here its echoes  can still be seen reverberating in an English interpretation, complete with what appears to be an oriental fence.

Coffee was originally a male affectation, as it was men who frequented the original coffee houses of London and being stimulated by the drug shared grandious ideas, hatching plans which we might consider laid the foundation for the social and industrial developments which were to come.  

I find this red and gold quite masculine and yet the shape, fluted and with the "old english" handle has a delicacy about it and the porcelain has a lovely fresh white quality which is most refined.

Made around 1825 - 30 this has all the glamour and confidence of the Regency period and would have shimmered in any drawing room.


Makers marks:
None

Dimensions:
Cup 6 cm tall to rim 7.8 cm to top of handle.  7.2 cm diameter at the rim. 
Saucer14.3 cm diam

Weight:
235 g

Age:
190 years

Condition:
Good.  Some gilt loss at the rim.  

Maker:
Probably Davenport.