Coffee cup, Bristol, hard paste porcelain, c.1775

This coffee cup is charmingly enameled with colourful European flowers, including a large pink rose and viola bouquet.

The base is marked with a blue-grey cross and the number 47, or possibly 117.

Bristol had inherited porcelain-making in 1770 after Cookworthy moved from Plymouth. Richard Champion's factory lasted from 1773 until 1781, when enormous losses forced him to sell his patent to a group of Staffordshire potters, later to become New Hall.

Condition: No damage or restoration, just a characteristic short clay tear / firing crack from the rim.

Dimensions: Height 2 1/2" (6.4cm)

As Bristol porcelain is relatively scarce and highly collectable, this coffee cup would grace any collection of early English 'true' or hard paste porcelain.