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Home Products Rare 18th-Century Paris Porcelain Cup & Saucer – Manufacture du Petit Carrousel (PCG Mark)
 

Rare 18th-Century Paris Porcelain Cup & Saucer – Manufacture du Petit Carrousel (PCG Mark)

$1,249.00

⚜️ANTIQUE PARIS PORCELAIN CUP SAUCER  ⚜️

✨DESCRIPTION

A magnificent and beautifully preserved hard-paste porcelain litron coffee cup and matching deep saucer, dating to the late Louis XVI / early Directoire period (circa 1780–1790).

This highly collectible set features the legendary hand-painted iron-red "PCG" monogram on the underside of both pieces. This mark identifies the set as a product of the prestigious Manufacture du Petit Carrousel, an elite Paris decorating workshop (atelier) and boutique operated by the porcelain decorator and merchant Charles Barthélemy Guy under the official royal protection of Charles-Philippe, the Comte d’Artois (brother of King Louis XVI and the future King Charles X of France).

The set is exquisitely hand-painted in the refined Salembier style, featuring a continuous running garland of vibrant cornflowers (historically known in France as barbeaux) interwoven with delicate green foliage. The borders, base, and elegant scrolled handle are accented with heavy, hand-applied gold leaf gilding.

📜 HISTORICAL BACKSTAMP CONTEXT

The iron-red overglaze "PCG" mark is exceptionally clear and well-preserved on both pieces. The letters represent the historic joint venture: C and P for the Count of Artois, and G for the master decorator Charles Barthélemy Guy. Examples bearing this complete mark are highly documented in specialized ceramic literature and are represented in major museum archives, including the British Museum and the Musée National de Céramique de Sèvres.

📌 ITEM DETAILS

  • Origin: Paris, France (Place du Carrousel / Louvre Courtyard)
  • Date of Manufacture: Circa 1780s
  • Material: Fine Hard-Paste Porcelain
  • Form: Traditional Litron Coffee Cup & Deep Saucer Set
  • Decoration: Hand-painted overglaze polychrome enamels and gold gilt

🔎 CONDITION REPORT

  • Overall Condition: Excellent antique condition, remarkable for a set exceeding 240 years of age.
  • Porcelain Body: Completely sound with no chips, cracks, hairline fractures, or professional restorations. The porcelain retains a bright, luminous white glaze.
  • Gilding & Enamels: The hand-painted floral enamels remain bright and intact. In keeping with authentic 18th-century porcelain chemistry, there is fine, age-appropriate surface craquelure/crazing restricted strictly to the thick gold gilt enamel on one raised flower on the saucer. This is purely a superficial aging characteristic of the heavy gold paste and does not penetrate the underlying porcelain structure.

📦 SHIPPING & PACKAGING

This item will be professionally packed with the utmost care. I use premium paper, multiple layers of bubble wrap, and a sturdy box (double-boxed when necessary) to ensure it arrives safely. Full tracking and insurance are included with your purchase.

Note on shipping: While checkout may default to USPS for our FREE Shipping items, I also use FedEx and UPS depending on the package size—at no extra cost to you. I will provide your exact carrier and tracking details as soon as your order ships.