Period Empire Presentation Cafe' au Lait cup and saucer dated Aug 31,1812
I collect French Paris porcelain 19th century Cafe' au Lait cup and saucers. Around 2002 while in Paris I discovered a pair of young antiques dealers that specialized in French Paris porcelain. The name of there shop named after them" Daniel et Vincent Antiques" located on 19 rue Molière. I bought from them this lovely 1st Empire Presentation Cafe' au Lait cup and saucer. When I first saw it I thought it was a mourning piece of porcelain but Daniel & Vincent explained to me that during the early 19th century it was a fad with the Bourgeoisie to present to your wife a Cafe' au Lait cup with your newborn baby painted on the front as a presentation gift. I cup of this quality would have not been used and most likely would have been displayed in a glass front cabinet.
Cafe' au Lait birth cups like the one we see here were considered fitting presents to a new mother. These were only gifted after the baby arrived. In the 18th and 19th century giving a gift before the birth seemed inappropriate given the fact that many mothers and children did not survive childbirth. The manufacture of porcelain has always been competitive, costly and notoriously risky. These factors forced the Paris manufacturers to broader their clientele continually through the introduction of new colors and forms and by devising new, attractive uses to which porcelain objects could be put. This quest for novel and appealing goods led to the production of a staggering array of dinner, dessert, tea and coffee services; toilette sets; clocks; desk accoutrements; garniture objects; lighting devices and even such architectural elements as mantelpieces.
The cup is beautifully painted with a blonde hair, blue eyed baby with outreached arm coming from a cloud. The interior of the cup has rich thick gold gilt and a NeoClassical rosette at the bottom. The Saucer has gold bands with the words in French, Leon and Jsabelle the 31 of Aug, 1812. Leon and Jsabelle are the names of the parents of this lovely child and we have the birthday of the child. The cup is not signed by the manufacturer as most Paris porcelain is not signed. This charming 200 plus years old cup and saucer leaves questions. What was the child's first name? Did he/she live to be a adult? What were the parents last name? So many questions. We still have this beautiful personalized piece of art to enjoy of craftsmanship of days gone by.
The interior of the cup has rich thick gold gilt and a NeoClassical rosette at the bottom. The Saucer has gold bands with the words in French, Leon and Jsabelle the 31 of Aug, 1812.
The interior of the cup has rich thick gold gilt and a NeoClassical rosette at the bottom. The Saucer has gold bands with the words in French, Leon and Jsabelle the 31 of Aug, 1812.
Period Empire Presentation Cafe' au Lait cup and saucer dated Aug 31,1812
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I agree that the Empire era (1804-1815) was definitely a time of renewal for the luxury industries that had suffered so badly during and after the Revolution. Luxury was again welcomed because it created work for France’s elegant industries, including porcelain.
ReplyDeleteI am used to big, symbolic themes on Empire era porcelain. But that is probably why we value the Presentation Cafe' au Lait cup and saucer so much - it used a small, personal theme.
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