First Period Worcester Porcelain Caudle Or Chocolate Cup and Cover c1770

Description

Heading : A Fine First Period Worcester Porcelain two handled Caudle or Chocolate Cup and Cover
Date :1768-1776
Period : George 111
Marks :Underglaze blue square seal
Origin :Worcester. England
Colour :Polychrome
Pattern : Flower sprays within mirror shaped panels edged with highly elaborate scroll and open brocade type gilding against overall reserves of deep cobalt
Features : The deep saucer. cup and cover all have a vandyke rim. the bowl with solid scroll handles and cover with flower head finial with triple layered petals
Condition :Tiny loss of gilt to two of the dentils that edge the rim of the cover. A one centimetre lonf hairline crack inside the bowl.
Restoration :None
Dimensions : Height of cup 7.1cm . saucer 14.3cm diameter
Weight :495

Reference :

For an example of this same form with pierced scroll handle See; An illustrated Guide to Worcester Porcelain. Sandon Henry plate 74.and for a Chocolate cup and saucer but no cover of same shape with solid scroll handles See; The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain Volume One.1751-1851 Sandon John page113 the image above a discussion regarding Chocolate cups. Caudle cups and Coffee cups in general.

I will defer to my mate John Sandon on this and state that this is either a caudle ( spelled caudel in the middle ages) or chocolate cup. Both were hot sweet drinks the former being more of a regenerative tonic for mothers and the invalided rather than a luxury imported from the Aztecs. In its original ethic form drinking chocolate was bitter and flavoured with chilli.

It has long been contested that anything with a contoured rim was not to be put to the mouth and we should think about using a spoon! However. Sevres and Meissen. from whom Worcester drew much inspiration. manufactured ecuelles with contoured and flat rims.