Sèvres-Style Cobalt Blue and Floral Porcelain Tea Set
Decorative arts, ceramic tabletop trio (teacup, saucer, and dessert plate) • Likely Royal Worcester or a high-end Limoges manufacturer patterned after 18th-century Sèvres designs
Style & Movement
Neoclassical Revival / Rococo Revival (Beaux-Arts era)
Medium & Technique
Hard-paste porcelain with hand-painted polychrome enamels, raised gilding (acid-etched or hand-applied), and 'bleu de roi' ground color with a honeycomb or 'vermicelle' gilt pattern
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1890-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Standard cabinet cup size (approx. 2.5 inch height) with a 5.5-6 inch saucer and 7-8 inch dessert plate
Subject Description
Central floral spray featuring roses, tulips, and forget-me-nots in soft pastels; bordered by four alternating panels of cobalt blue with gold honeycomb patterns and white panels with scrolling gilt arabesques
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; vitreous surfaces appear bright with minimal visible rubbing to the gilt edges or scratching to the central enamels
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $300 USD for the trio
Auction Estimate
$100 - $200 USD
Provenance History
Likely produced for the luxury European or North American export market; items of this quality were frequently sold through retailers like Tiffany & Co. or high-end department stores
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the late 19th-century obsession with 'Sèvres' style aesthetics, representing the height of Victorian and Edwardian domestic luxury and the technical mastery of transfer-and-hand-paint hybrid techniques
Notable Features
Features a scalloped 'lobed' edge typical of 18th-century French shapes; the 'cobalt blue scale' or honeycomb gilding is a labor-intensive decorative technique that adds significant tactile texture to the piece
Condition Issues
Slight shelf wear on the unglazed foot rings; potential micro-crazing under high magnification common to hard-paste porcelain of this age
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only in lukewarm water; avoid abrasive cleaners or microwave use; display away from direct vibration to prevent 'chatter' marks