Maker: Helena Wolfsohn
This Meissen-style quatrefoil cup and saucer was made around 1879-80 in the Dresden decorating studio of Helena Wolfsohn.
Helena Wolfsohn inherited her father’s porcelain business. L. Meyer & Söhne. She bought white porcelain mainly from the Meissen factory outside Dresden and decorated it in old Meissen style. She also drew on the paintings of Jean-Antoine Watteau, of courtship and romantic love in bucolic settings.
In 1878 the studio was taken over by Helena’s daughter Emilie. The next year the business was sued by Meissen for using their ‘AR’ (Augustus Rex) mark.
Condition Very good. The saucer has no wear or damage. On the underside, an attempt has been to gild over some stray puce enamel. The cup has a small (5 mm x 2 mm) shallow chip to the bottom rim that has been gilded and is only noticeable on close inspection. It is possible that the defect and attempt to cover it up happened during manufacture. There are three tiny spots of rubbed gilt on the handle.
Teacup height: 4.9 cm; max. rim widths: 8.1 cm & 6.5 cm; max. width including handle: 9.1 cm
Saucer max. width: 12.9 cm
Net weight: 153g
Medium: Hard-paste porcelain
Origin: Dresden, Germany
