Antique porcelain tea and coffee set for 5 persons with meadow flower decor (5605)

Dimensions: The set includes: teapot/coffee pot, large two-handled sugar bowl, milk jug, 5 small cups (demitasse/espresso type) and 5 saucers. Antique porcelain tea and coffee service for 5 persons An exquisite and spring-like example of late 19th-century European porcelain art – a compact tea and coffee service for 5 persons (antique porcelain coffee service). Each item in the set is distinguished by an elegant, plastic embossed band or wavy spiral decor, which gives the porcelain a pleasant texture and play of light. The surface of the dishes is adorned with romantic, hand-painted meadow and garden flower motifs – bright blue forget-me-nots, delicate pink wild roses, and yellow buttercups, complemented by delicate green leaves. The rims of the dishes, the lines of the handles, and the decorative spikes of the lids are accented with a delicate, hand-drawn gold decorative band, creating a pleasant contrast with the clear white and fine porcelain. The cups are made in a classic, small size, making them ideal for serving strong coffee, espresso, or aromatic tea. Period of manufacture Late 19th century, approximately 1890–1900. Historicism period, Western Europe (y or Bohemia). Manufacturer / Signature / Stamp Industrial stamps on the bases of the dishes have not survived, but hand-painted historical red and gilded inventory and decorator numbers are visible, characteristic of prestigious manufactories of that era that fulfilled individual orders and decoration was carried out in separate artist workshops. Rarity and significance Compact, smaller-sized porcelain services with such vibrant natural flower decor and fully preserved gilding are a relatively rare find. This service perfectly illustrates the aesthetics of late 19th-century European domestic culture, where the lightness of natural motifs intertwines with the highest demands of table etiquette. Condition In excellent antique condition. The porcelain is clear and clean, without cracks, chips, or signs of restoration. The gold borders and delicate floral color decor are preserved in excellent, visually very fresh condition with minimal, naturally insignificant signs of aging. Cultural-historical moment: The poet and master of fairy tales Kārlis Skalbe sat on the wooden terrace of his home “Saulrieti” on a late summer afternoon, calmly and thoughtfully watching the sun’s rays slowly glide through the pine treetops and the misty twilight of the garden. He reached out and gently lifted a warm porcelain cup with his palm, feeling the delicate, embossed spiral band with his fingertips and tracing the lines of the bright pattern of forget-me-nots and small meadow flowers. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly picked herbal teas and forest honey, and the porcelain dishes on the unvarnished wooden table created an incredible, noble harmony of peace and simplicity. A natural, deep, and calming silence prevailed, and the white shine of the dishes with the discreet gold band instantly transformed an ordinary afternoon moment into an unhurried and harmonious enjoyment of beauty before writing the first line of a new fairy tale.