Vienna Porcelain Cup and Saucer

Description

Decorated with a Female Portrait

From our Ceramics collection, we are pleased to offer this Vienna Cup and Saucer. The Vienna Cup and Saucer made from porcelain with a deep dish saucer beautifully decorated with intricate gilt scrollwork bordering each colour and scene. Colours of turquoise and deep purple finish the inner saucer with a central medallion of white glaze. The base of the saucer is signed in underglaze blue with the classic Vienna beehive mark. The matching cup is features a central hand painted romantic scene of a Shepard and shepherdess in a classical garden perched next to a marble bust on column. The cup features layered banding decoration with matching gilt scrollwork and colours. The centre of the cup has a horizontal decoration featuring cherubs flaking a spread eagle imitating the Austrian coat of arms.  The base of the cup is also signed with the underglaze blue Vienna beehive mark and date to the late 19th century circa 1875.

Vienna Porcelain, is a porcelain manufacturer in Alsergrund in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1718 and continued production until 1864. The firm was Europe’s second-oldest porcelain factory after Meissen, and for 25 years the two remained the only European producers. Initially Vienna porcelain was founded by Claude du Paquier and owned privately. Paquier was an official of the Viennese Imperial court. In 1744 it was rescued from financial difficulties when it was bought by the Empress Maria Theresa, and thereafter remained an asset of Empress Theresa.

The wares from the earlier, private period before 1744 are the most sought-after today and demand the highest value due to the fact they were produced in lower numbers, they often are referred to as Du Paquier porcelain. The other high point, and, perhaps the factory’s most glamorous period was from 1784 to 1805 when a variety of innovative wares in Neoclassical styles were produced.