The most important French porcelain factory was founded in about 1740 in the royal château of Vincennes, with workmen lured from the nearby factory at Chantilly. Commercial production began in earnest around 1745 when Louis XV granted it a privilege to make porcelain 'in the manner of Saxony, painted and gilded, with human figures'.

As the wording of the privilege suggests, the factory's earliest style was indebted to the prestigious hard-paste porcelain made at Meissen in Saxony. However, the support and protection of Louis XV and his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, enabled Vincennes to secure the best technicians, artists, sculptors and designers. The factory's repertoire quickly evolved from the emulation of East Asian or Meissen examples to incorporate the latest styles used in French gilt-bronze, woodcarving and decorative painting. Vincennes became renowned for its luxurious ground colours and richly-tooled gilded decoration. By 1756 the factory had outgrown its workshops in the old château and it transferred to specially constructed premises at Sèvres.

The Royal Manufactory specialised in exceptionally luxurious objects, many destined for the French court. Tea, coffee and chocolate wares were among its most popular products. This exquisite tea-set or déjeuner has the fashionable rose pink ground colour, rich gilding and swags of flowers. It was no doubt for the personal use of a very wealthy courtier or member of the royal family and would probably have been used in the boudoir or bedroom.

During the first half of the 18th century coffee was the most popular hot drink in France. However, by the middle of the century, the refined pastime of tea drinking had become fashionable among the wealthy elite. Tea was an expensive luxury and it was served using appropriately precious vessels. Strong tea was poured from a comparatively small pot and diluted with hot water in the cup; sugar was added to alleviate the bitterness, and sometimes hot or cold milk.