Fine Antique English Porcelain has dated this Derby Porcelain Teacup Saucer to the Georgian era.
The centre of each piece is painted with the duty card with the royal cipher of George 3rd. With the mottos “Honi soit qui mal y pence” and “Dieu et mon droit”. The Royal crest shown was that of the one shown on the deck of cards to show that the tax was paid.
Playing card games was a popular pastime in the Georgian era. Favourite games were Whist, Cribbage, Piquet and Loo.
Crown, crossed batons and D mark in red.
Both the outside of the cup and underside of the saucer (exluding the centre where the mark is) are solidly gilded which is very rare to find and would have made this an extremely expensive item.
Condition: No damage or restoration to the cup. A very short hairline crack to the rim of the saucer has been invisibly restored.
For a similarly decorated plate sold by Bonhams see: https://www.bonhams.com/zh-hk/auction/27666/lot/563/an-interesting-english-porcelain-playing-cards-plate-circa-1820/
A rare Derby porcelain Counter box and cover decorated with playing cards is illustrated by John Twitchett in his first book on Derby Porcelain – See plate 314, page 239.
Fine Antique English Porcelain has dated this Derby Porcelain Teacup Saucer to the Georgian era.
Jonathan purt is a specialist in fine antique english porcelain
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A Rare Duesbury & Kean Period Derby Porcelain Teacup & Saucer C.1810
