Vienna porcelain – Cup and Saucer, early 19th century

This fine cup and saucer set was produced by the Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur, also known as the Kaiserlich privilegierte Porzellan-Fabrik, established in 1718. Founded by Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, it was Europe’s second-oldest porcelain manufactory after Meissen. In 1744, the manufactory was acquired by Empress Maria Theresa, becoming an imperial enterprise. The factory gained renown for its high-quality hard-paste porcelain and intricate overglaze enamel decoration, producing pieces that blended Rococo exuberance with neoclassical refinement. By the early 19th century, under directors like Matthias Niedermayer, the manufactory’s output was characterized by detailed figural painting and allegorical themes, reflecting the artistic tastes of the Biedermeier period.

The cup features a hand-painted scene that may represent an allegorical “Toilet of Venus,” depicting a central seated figure (possible venus) and a winged figure in green. In the background is a putto carrying a basket on his head. The figures appear to float on clouds against a soft blue sky, a motif typical of Royal Vienna’s classical style.
The painting is delicate, with soft blues, greens, and warm flesh tone.

The ground of both cup and saucer is a hard-paste porcelain of warm ivory-white tone. The saucer is outlined by a gilded palmette and foliate band set against a red-brown ground, with additional fine gilded lines along the foot ring. The cup rim, handle, and base are similarly highlighted with gilded bands and palmette decoration on a red-brown background.
Both pieces bear impressed date marks “823” on their undersides, confirming production year 1823.
The overglaze gilding is uniform and shows minimal wear.