Flora Danica porcelain covered custard cup by Royal Copenhagen. Dated 1916. Size: 3.25" height x 2.5" diameter. Flora Danica is one of the finest of porcelain patterns. The original service was commissioned by the Danish king, Christian VII, in 1790, as a gift for Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. However, she died prior to its completion and the Danish royal family retained the service. The name and decoration of the service were derived from the botanical atlas, "Flora Danica," published between 1761-1883, which illustrates in some 3,060 copper plate engravings the flora of Denmark. Johann Christoph Bayer undertook the monumental task of transcribing these illustrations into designs for porcelain, a task that took him 12 years to complete. Today, the MSRP for a cup, cover and saucer is in excess of $3,500. This example is initialed on the underside by the decorator 'GD' and dated 28th April 1916, together with the underglaze blue wavy lines mark of the Royal Copenhagen factory. Examples not bearing the Latin names of the plants were sometimes produced by the decorators for themselves. Condition: There are two tiny nicks to the underside of the cover; and a couple of the floral petals of the cover were chipped during the manufacture of the piece. This offering includes a cup with cover, but no saucer.

Antique Porcelain & Pottery
Antique Cups & Saucers, Mugs