A fine Worcester chocolate cup and saucer circa 1765-68

painted in the workshop of James Giles, of fluted shape with pierced handles, painted with large mixed flower sprays and smaller sprigs, including a 'divergent tulip', roses, auricula and narcissi,

Inside the base of the cup, there is a very small flake of enamel lacking to the red berry spray. There is a very small firing flaw to the inner rim of the cup across the base of one point in the rim adjacent to one of the handles. There is a minute chip to one of the points on the external rim of the saucer. This chip is not visible when the saucer is viewed straight on.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For a discussion of flower painting in the Giles workshop, see Stockspring Antiques exhibition catalogue 2005, James Giles by Stephen Hanscombe, Chapter 5 and I.  The finely painted naturalistic flowers on this cup and saucer clearly show the influence of decoration at the Meissen factory.  A similar cup and saucer is in the Rissik Marshall Collection, see Dinah Reynolds, Worcester Porcelain in the Ashmolean Museum, plate 32, p. 72-3