Lot Essay
The present coffee-cup and saucer is one of seventy-two; part of the service ordered from Svres through Bariatinsky on behalf of the Emperess Catherine II of Russia in 1776 and delivered in June 1779. The entire service consisted of 797 pieces which were divided into dinner, dessert and tea and coffee wares for sixty settings, plus extras to allow for breakage. The frieze rinceaux was taken from the Theatre of Marcellus.
For a full discussion of the service, its commission, decorative scheme and manufacture, see Rosalind Savill, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Svres Porcelain, vol. II, pp. 762-782 and Rosalind Savill, Apollo, November 1982, pp. 304-311.
Charles-Nicolas Dodin, active at Svres as a painter of figures and trophies, 1754-1803
Denis Lev, active at Svres as a painter of flowers, patterns and birds, 1754-1793 and 1795-1805
Nicquet, active at Svres as a painter of flowers and patterns, 1764-1792
Jean-Pierre Boulanger, active at Svres as a gilder and as a painter of patterns, 1754-1785
For a full discussion of the service, its commission, decorative scheme and manufacture, see Rosalind Savill, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Svres Porcelain, vol. II, pp. 762-782 and Rosalind Savill, Apollo, November 1982, pp. 304-311.
Charles-Nicolas Dodin, active at Svres as a painter of figures and trophies, 1754-1803
Denis Lev, active at Svres as a painter of flowers, patterns and birds, 1754-1793 and 1795-1805
Nicquet, active at Svres as a painter of flowers and patterns, 1764-1792
Jean-Pierre Boulanger, active at Svres as a gilder and as a painter of patterns, 1754-1785