Unknown Chinese
Teacup and Saucer

Public Domain

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Maker Unknown Chinese

CultureChinese

Titles

Teacup and Saucer

Datec. 1861–1870

Made inChina, Asia

Used atSmithtown, New York, United States

MediumHard-paste porcelain with enamel and gilding

DimensionsTeacup: 2 13/16 × 4 5/8 × 3 15/16 in. (7.1 × 11.7 × 10 cm)
Saucer: 1 5/16 × 6 1/16 in. (3.3 × 15.4 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Colonel and Mrs. Therwin S. Walters, USAF, Ret., in honor of Rosemary S. McBride

Object numberB.2004.39.1,.2

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Ceramics Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionThis cup and saucer and a plate (B.2004.38) bear the cipher of Ethelbert Marshall Smith of Smithtown, Long Island. Fashioned between 1861 and 1870, they date from a period generally regarded as the second phase of the American China trade. During this time, commerce was greatly impacted as more Chinese ports were opening for foreign trade. Furthermore, the European presence diminished as Western porcelain factories garnered more and more of their domestic trade. As a result, by the second half of the 19th Century the Americans became the dominant factors in the China trade. Other examples of this service can be found at Winterthur.
ProvenanceMade for Ethelbert Marshall Smith (1838−1901), Smithtown, Long Island; [H. Moog Antique Porcelains, Atlanta, Georgia]; purchased by MFAH, 2004.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed on body: EMS in cipher (see provenance)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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