Tea Bowl and Saucer
MakerPossibly made by
Worcester Porcelains
(English, 1751 - 1862)
Dateabout 1760
MediumWheel-thrown porcelain with black enamel decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter of tea bowl): 1 3/4 x 2 7/8in. (4.4 x 7.3cm)
Primary Dimensions (diameter of saucer): 4 5/8in. (11.7cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1987.149.1a-b
DescriptionRound tea bowl and saucer made of porcelain and decorated with a transfer-printed pattern. The pattern, known as "L'Amour", shows a man and a woman sitting on a bench, with a third figure of a woman standing behind the pair. The man is leaning over to the right and is passionately kissing the right hand and wrist of the seated woman. The seated woman has tilted her head down and holds a fan in her left hand. The standing woman beind the pair looks surprised; she has raised her left hand to her mouth and holds her right hand in the air. The figures are wearing eighteenth-century clothing, either English or European. The scene is set in a garden, and there are fountains and sculpture to the left, and an urn on a scrolled pedestal to the right. Trees in rows, suggesting a formal garden, fill the background. There is a small dog in the foreground, as well as low plants and discarded gardening equipment.
Tea bowl (.a): The pattern is printed once on the outside of the tea bowl, opposite a small scene showing garden equipment and architecture. A small pattern showing a swan is transfer-printed on the inside bottom of the tea bowl. There is one thin line of black enamel circling the inside of the rim. The top surface of the rim was probably gilded at one time; at the present only the smallest flakes of gold remain. A small spot of wax is adhered to the bottom of the rim.
Saucer (.b): The pattern is printed once in the center of the saucer and is surrounded at the rim with a thin line of black enamel. A small area of clear wax has adhered to the surface of the saucer; three areas of clear wax are adhered to the foot.
Tea bowl (.a): The pattern is printed once on the outside of the tea bowl, opposite a small scene showing garden equipment and architecture. A small pattern showing a swan is transfer-printed on the inside bottom of the tea bowl. There is one thin line of black enamel circling the inside of the rim. The top surface of the rim was probably gilded at one time; at the present only the smallest flakes of gold remain. A small spot of wax is adhered to the bottom of the rim.
Saucer (.b): The pattern is printed once in the center of the saucer and is surrounded at the rim with a thin line of black enamel. A small area of clear wax has adhered to the surface of the saucer; three areas of clear wax are adhered to the foot.
Status
Not on view
