Breakfast Cup and Saucer
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Deborah Champion
(American, 1753 - 1845)
MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateearly 19th century
MediumWheel-thrown Chinese export porcelain with gilding and overglaze enamels in pink, orange, and green
DimensionsComponent (height x diameter of breakfast cup): 2 1/8 x 4 3/8in. (5.4 x 11.1cm)
Component (diameter of saucer): 6 3/16in. (15.7cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Alden Steel & Deborah Champion Steele Geier
Object number1981.37.2a-b
DescriptionLarge, round, Chinese export porcelain breakfast cup and saucer with gilding and hand-painted overglaze enamels.
The breakfast cup (.a) is decorated with an elaborate border on the outside of the rim. The border consists of a line of pink arrowheads with green leaves emerging from this line. Periodically, a cluster of three orange leaves interrupts the pink line. Just below this cluster of three leaves is a pink flower with green leaves, as well as other small flowers and leaves. The breakfast cup is decorated on the inside of the rim with a plain line of pink arrowheads. The rim is gilded, as is the rim of the saucer.
The saucer (.b) has a similar group of decorations and borders as the breakfast cup, beginning with a pink flower and green leaves in the center. This is surrounded by a border of the plain line of pink arrowheads. The majority of the rim is decorated with the same elaborate border described above on the outside of the breakfast cup. The gilding has worn off much of the rim on both the breakfast cup and saucer.
NotesHistorical Note: Tradition states that Deborah Champion delivered payroll across British lines during the American Revolution. At the request of her father, she left home in New London, Connecticut, and made the delivery in Boston, Massachusetts. The cloak she wore is in the collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, 1981.37.1.The breakfast cup (.a) is decorated with an elaborate border on the outside of the rim. The border consists of a line of pink arrowheads with green leaves emerging from this line. Periodically, a cluster of three orange leaves interrupts the pink line. Just below this cluster of three leaves is a pink flower with green leaves, as well as other small flowers and leaves. The breakfast cup is decorated on the inside of the rim with a plain line of pink arrowheads. The rim is gilded, as is the rim of the saucer.
The saucer (.b) has a similar group of decorations and borders as the breakfast cup, beginning with a pink flower and green leaves in the center. This is surrounded by a border of the plain line of pink arrowheads. The majority of the rim is decorated with the same elaborate border described above on the outside of the breakfast cup. The gilding has worn off much of the rim on both the breakfast cup and saucer.
Status
Not on view
