Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
The fine decoration, including delicate gilded floral and scrollwork borders, reflects the luxurious porcelain production associated with royal or aristocratic patronage of the time.
The marking on the bottom of the cup reads: "Manufacture de Monsieur Le Duc d’Angoulême, Paris." The Duc d'Angoulême, Louis Antoine (1775–1844), was the eldest son of Charles X of France and the last Dauphin of France before the monarchy's fall. Holding the title during the Bourbon Restoration, he was married to Marie-Thérèse of France, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Such markings were common on high-status porcelain pieces from Parisian workshops during this period.
Dihl and Guérhard hard-paste porcelain was produced at their Parisian factory, which was active from 1781 until 1828. Founded by Christophe Dihl and Antoine Guérhard, the factory operated under the protection, though not the ownership, of the young Louis Antoine, Duke of Angoulême—a nephew of the reigning Louis XVI. This protection enabled the factory to evade the king's monopoly on colored and gilded porcelain, held by Sèvres. By 1785, the factory employed thirty painters and twelve sculptors, producing wares of exceptional quality in styles transitioning from Neoclassicism to Empire.
The factory developed a distinguished clientele early on. The American diplomat Gouverneur Morris frequently visited between 1789 and 1793, purchasing porcelain for President George Washington. Notably, Empress Josephine had been ordering pieces from the factory since 1811. An abbreviated version of the formal name "Manufacture de Monsieur Le Duc d’Angoulême" was sometimes stamped underneath pieces, alongside the intertwined "G" and "A" mark. The Duke's name was dropped during the French Revolution.
Dihl and Guérhard’s prominence among French porcelain manufacturers is evidenced by a letter written in 1800 on behalf of Spanish Queen Maria Luisa (1751–1819), expressing a preference for their factory over Sèvres, as its porcelain was considered “more modern and more pure.”
Samples of their work are on display in many museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/644111) and Victoria and Albert Museum (https://collections.vam.ac.uk/context/organisation/A12414/dihl-et-gu%C3%A9rhard-porcelain-factory).
Dimensions:
Cup: Height 6.1 cm, diameter 6.3 cm, width including handle 8.6 cm
Saucer: Height 3 cm, diameter 13 cm
Total weight: 264 grams
Condition:
The cup has a slight scuff of gilding on the handle, and the saucer has a small chip on the edge. Otherwise, the set is in excellent condition, with well-preserved gilding and vibrant colors. The gold pattern on the bottom of the saucer is also fully intact.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to assist. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labor, packaging, and postage.
Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
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Antique Porcelain Cup and Saucer, Dihl and Guérhard, France, C. 1790
