Cup and Saucer thumbnail 1
Cup and Saucer thumbnail 2
+2
images
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Cup and Saucer

ca. 1735-1740 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

When coffee drinking was still a novelty in Europe tall cups and beakers were normally used for it, firstly made in metal (usually silver) and later on in porcelain and pottery. This shape of this Meissen coffee cup and saucer is quite rare as it has been specially adapted to enable the coffee to be poured into the saucer, presumably to allow the liquid to cool more quickly to a suitable temperature. The decoration imitates Chinese (Batavian ware) teacups and saucers.

The tradition of coffee drinking originated in Ethiopia and only spread to Europe during the 1600s via the Middle East.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Pouring Cup
  • Drinking Saucer
Materials and techniques
Hard-paste porcelain, decorated with a brown ground and painted in underglaze blue enamels
Brief description
Coffee beaker and drinking saucer of porcelain with a lustrous brown ground, and painted inside in underglaze blue, Meissen porcelain factory, Germany, ca. 1735-40.
Physical description
Pouring teabowl and drinking saucer of hard-paste porcelain with a lustrous brown ground and underglaze blue decoration in Chinese style.
Marks and inscriptions
Crossed swords and four dots (In underglaze blue)
Credit line
From the Arthur and Hilde Weiner Collection. Accepted by HM Government in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the V&A, 2006
Object history
Formerly in the Arthur and Hilde Weiner Collection.
Historical context
The decoration imitates Chinese 'Batavian' wares.
Subjects depicted
Summary
When coffee drinking was still a novelty in Europe tall cups and beakers were normally used for it, firstly made in metal (usually silver) and later on in porcelain and pottery. This shape of this Meissen coffee cup and saucer is quite rare as it has been specially adapted to enable the coffee to be poured into the saucer, presumably to allow the liquid to cool more quickly to a suitable temperature. The decoration imitates Chinese (Batavian ware) teacups and saucers.

The tradition of coffee drinking originated in Ethiopia and only spread to Europe during the 1600s via the Middle East.
Bibliographic references
  • Cassidy-Geiger, Maureen, The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710-50, introduction by Henry Arnhold, essays by Biedermann, Heike, and Kuhn, Sebastian, London, Giles, 2008 for the Frick Collection and the Arnhold Foundation Inc. p. 324, no. 96. Catalogue of the exhibition of Henry Arnhold's Meissen collection, exhibited at the Frick Collection, New York, 25 March 29- June 2008. ISBN 978-1-904832-44-7
  • Sotheby's sale catalogue, Meissen Porcelain from a European Private Collection. London, 17th June, 1997, lot 44. Acquired by Henry Arnhold.
Collection
Accession number
C.68:1, 2-2006

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Record createdApril 23, 2009
Record URL
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