Circa: 1890s - early 1900's
Manufacturer: G. Demartine Company, Limoges China

Nifty small antique cup and saucer with a manufacturer mark believed to be GD & C for G. Demartine, of Limoges, France on the underside base of both pieces. The "&" sign and "C" are a bit smudged or have extra ink from the stamping process, but this is what we believe these to indicate based on research of Limoges china marks. This mark was used by the company from after 1891 to the early 1900's, so these pieces are antique and would be no "younger" than the early 20th century.

White base porcelain (these pieces are translucent) or bone china. The cup is a small, straight-walled/sided vertical type with a rectangular shaped handle on one side. The saucer is a small, round, flat type piece. Both pieces have a clean white background with very pale multi-colored flowers. There are three single flowers adorning the topside of the saucer, with a floral grouping on one side of the cup and a single flower on the cup backside. The top edge of the cup and outer rim of the saucer are trimmed with a thin gold line, with the cup handle also painted gold. All decor is on the top of the saucer and outside of the cup.

Saucer has a deeply lowered or indented section in the middle for seating the cup, measuring about 3 7/8 inches total diameter and sitting about 5/8 inch in height. The cylindrical shaped cup has a top opening diameter of about 1 5/8 inches with a total width to the outside of the handle of about 2 1/4 inches. The cup sits about 2 1/8 inches in height. The two pieces together sit about 2 3/8 inches total height.This set is definitely too small to be called a teacup (tea cup) & saucer set. While it could be a demitasse cup & saucer, it seems smaller than we usually see for that, also. Perhaps this was meant to be an espresso or cappuccino set, we don't know. From some internet research, we've read that the early patents for machines that could make espresso and cappuccino were granted in Italy in 1884 and 1901, so it is possible that this could have been made to be used with espresso or cappuccino.

We've provided 8 images to show from varied angles, including the Limoges marks on each old piece. The camera light causes white "hot spot" reflections on the smooth surfaces. Please use the zoom feature to examine closely. Together these two vintage pieces weigh a little over 3 ounces unpacked.

Excellent antique condition with no chips, cracks, crazing or utensil marks. Both pieces look wonderful without obvious signs of use, so they may have just been kept on display, we don't know. There are some pin/pit/dark dots in the porcelain, some stray gold paint marks and there is likely some slight age wear but nothing is jumping out at us. These are ready to use or enjoy on display.

A neat smaller Limoges cup & saucer set which would make a great addition to any cup & saucer collection.

Please Note: If you are interested in more than one cup & saucer or other items, please contact us before inputting the order. We'd be pleased to combine multiple items for shipment in one box, if possible, to save you on postage. The system won't automatically combine shipping, and will quote as if each item is shipped separately. We would be happy to provide the combined shipping costs for you.

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