Donath & Co., Dresden, Porcelain Cup With Saucer, C.1890.

Antique and very rare porcelain hand painted chocolate cup and saucer in the Watteau-style, made by Donath & Co. in Dresden, Germany, at the end of 19th century. The cup has an octagonal form, a distinctive and sophisticated shape. The piece is adorned with soft pastel yellow panels, featuring hand-painted scenes of courting couples in pastoral settings, and brightly colored flowers. The decorative gold patterns frame the painted panels. A rectangular saucer completes the cup with matching pastel yellow panels, hand-painted with scenes of cheerful couples and bright floral motifs. Designed for drinking hot chocolate, which was a luxury drink in the 19th century; this set reflects the Rococo revival style. It is a fine example of Dresden porcelain, produced by Donath & Co. Donath & Co. (1872-1916) began operation in Dresden in 1872. Trade directories show that Donath & Co. decorated porcelain in the style of Meissen and Vienna. Donath & Co. sometimes used a gold overlay flower mark to cover the manufacturer's mark. They frequently used blanks from Meissen, Thomas Co., and some of the manufacturers in Limoges, France. Many of Donath & Company porcelains were of excellent quality, and they won exhibition medals at Brussels, Barcelona, and Chicago in the 1880s and 1900. Their dessert sets and tea wares enjoyed very large international sales in the beginning of 20 century. They were featured in Harrods catalogs in competition with a wide range of English porcelain manufactures. The hand-painted Dresden porcelains undersold most contemporary English bone china dessert wares of the period. They exported porcelain to Ryrle Brothers in Toronto and Bailey, Banks and Biddle in Philadelphia. Collectors highly value porcelain produced by Dresden companies in the 19th century, including Donath & Company, whose products are still collectors' items today.
Dimensions: cup - height 7.5cm, width 9cm, depth 5.5cm, saucer - length 12.9cm, width 10.2cm, height 2.2cm, total weight 191 grams.
Condition: slight loss of gilding, the handle on the cup looks curved - this is apparently a manufacturing defect, otherwise excellent antique condition.
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 answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.