For a full discussion of this rare ground colour see, Malcolm Gutter, 'Meissen Red Ground Wares', The Antique Collector, February 1989, pp. 30-38 where he notes that there appear to be only five coffee, tea and or chocolate services, two travelling cups, a pair of vases and two single vases manufactured with this ground colour. The present teacup and saucer is from a tea-service of which the tea-caddy, the sugar-bowl and several teacups and saucers are known, see Mary Campbell Gristina, op. cit., nos. 299-302 for three teacups and saucers and the tea-caddy from the same service; other teacups and saucers were sold by Christie's Geneva, 13 May 1985, lot 140 and Sotheby's Zurich, 24 November 1992, lot 9