Literature

This cup and saucer surely dates from 1782 when 'jewelled' Sèvres was at its' peak and when the frieze around this example's rims was used on a very royal gift from French to Russian royalty. One would expect objects on such a level to lead and collector's pieces to follow.

The jewelled frieze combining egg and dart patterns with classical palmettes was made using the same steel dies to stamp these gold foils as seen on several elements from the lavish toilette service presented by Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette to the Comtesse du Nord in 1782. The latter was Maria-Feodorovna the Crown Princess of Russia when travelling incognito through Europe with her husband the future Tsar Paul III, son of Catherine the Great. The toilette service, made at staggering expense, is still today in its original home, the Palace of Pavlosk outside St. Petersburg, Russia

The toilette service has many elements, even a massive porcelain mirror frame and smaller pieces with gold fittings. It includes rectangular boxes, the bulbous scent pots amd a table porcelain clock case which have the same 'jewelled' Sèvres frieze of enamelled gold foils as seen on this cup and saucer.