A CHINESE EXPORT 'WASHINGTON MEMORIAL' COFFEE CUP 1800-02

painted in sepia with the tomb of George Washington beneath a narrow border at the rim. Together with a Chinese Export coffee cup, painted, or possibly transfer printed, in iron-red with a figure of Fame suspending the order of the Society of the Cincinnati. 2 pieces.

The coffee cup with the Cincinnati medallion is in good condition with just some rubbing to the gilding on the rim. The Washington Memorial coffee cup has the handle entirely restored and possibly with some made up sections. Otherwise in good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A number of dinner service wares decorated with George Washington's tomb have been published and for a discussion of the service, and notes on other examples, see the note to the vegetable tureen cover from the Mottahedeh Collection, sold in these rooms, October 19, 2000, lot 328. These pieces however have a more elaborate border than that found on the present example, and also bear a gilt monogram JRS, also absent from this coffee cup. A teabowl in the Reeves Collection, illustrated by Litzenburg, p. 265, no. 268, has the same border as the present piece, perhaps suggesting there was originally a tea service in the pattern, with a more simple border.

For the coffee cup with the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati, see John Quentin Feller, 'China Trade porcelain decorated with the emblem of the Society of the Cincinnati', The Magazine Antiques, October 1980, Vol. CXVIII, No. 4, pp. 767-8, fig. 11, where the author illustrates two similar cups and suggests that wares with this decoration - limited to a handful of coffee cups - were decorated at a much later date than the other Cincinnati pieces.