9-piece Limoges Fragonard Transferware Porcelain Miniature Tea Set

The name "Limoges" has been synonymous with high-quality, highly-collectible porcelain for over 200 years.

"Limoges" is used to refer to the hard-paste porcelain that is manufactured in or around the city of Limoges, France, but does not necessarily refer to a particular maker.

The set consists of 9 pieces total including 1 serving tray, 1 larger bowl, 1 teapot, 1 creamer, 1 sugar bowl, and 2 teacups with 2 matching saucers.

Each piece is finished with a lustrous cornflower blue glaze and features brilliant metallic gold accents.

As you can see, all of the pieces exhibit tiny gold flowers while the bowl and serving tray feature a romantic figural scene by famous Rococo artist, Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

During the mid 1700's, when King Louis XV's court was more licentious and pleasure-loving than ever, Fragonard would gain renown by capturing the era's rampant hedonism with his numerous "Lovers" scenes.

Both scenes include the name "Fragonard" printed in tiny gold letters near the bottom.

As hand-painting became less viable toward the middle of the 18th century, a new technique involving transferring tiny decals became more popular.

This set is a brilliant example of "transferware".

The underside of the serving tray and the underside of the bowl feature gold maker's marks, both of which read "Limoges France".

Some of the pieces exhibit very minimal wear, though the set remains in absolutely outstanding vintage condition overall.

It is so difficult to find these miniature Limoges sets in any state of completion or in such great condition.

Measurements: Tray: 3 1/8" long, 2 1/16" wide, 3/8" tall, 21.2 Bowl: 1 3/4" diameter, 1 3/16" base diameter, 5/8" tall, 10.9 grams Saucer (2): 5/8" diameter, 3/8" base diameter, 1/4 tall, 1.1 grams (each) Tea Cup (2): 1/2" tall, 9/16" wide, 1/4" base diameter, 7/16" diameter, 1 gram (each) Sugar Bowl: 13/16" tall, 1" wide, 3/4" diameter, 1/2"base diameter, 3/8" opening diameter, 3.2 grams Creamer: 7/8" tall, 3/4" wide, 5/8" diameter, 3/8" base diameter, 1/4" opening diameter, 1.9 grams Tea Pot: 1 1/8" tall, 1 1/8" wide, 3/4" diameter, 1/2" base diameter, 1/4" diameter opening, 4.3 grams Total weight: 45.7 grams (1.61 oz)

Item ID: 6472