Duke Of Angoulême Manufactory - 18th-century Signed Porcelain "barbeaux" One-litron Cup

A "litron"-shaped coffee cup made of Parisian porcelain, decorated with a delicate polychrome design known as "aux Barbeaux," accented with fine gold fillets. Of very fine quality, it bears the signature "Manufacture de Monseigneur le Duc d'Angoulême" in Paris, in the form of a red iron stamp. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York features a traveling tea service bearing the same signature and dated 1788. A work from the Louis XVI period, late 18th century, just before the Revolution.

The Dihl and Guerhard Manufactory was founded in 1781 and established on Rue de Bondy in Paris. In 1782, the manufactory obtained the patronage of the young Duke of Angoulême, Louis-Antoine d’Artois (1775–1844), (son of the future Charles X) and changed its name to La Manufacture du Duc d’Angoulême. Thus, beginning in 1782, Dihl and Guerhard pieces can be found stamped “Manufacture de Monsieur le duc d’Angoulême,” often more or less abbreviated (sometimes “Manufre de Mgr le duc d’Angoulême,” sometimes “Mre de Mgr le duc d’Angoulême”
La Manufacture du Duc d’Angoulême was one of many Parisian workshops that sought the protection of a member of the to obtain a privilege and the prestige of a name and coat of arms that they could display on their storefronts and invoices. The prominent figure in question received substantial financial compensation in return. Thiswas the case with the manufactories of the Count of Provence, the Count of Artois, the Duke of Orléans, the Queen, and even the very young Duke of Angoulême, aged 6. This patronage was purely political, aimed at counterbalancing the influence of the Sèvres Manufactory and circumventing its monopoly. Thissystem disappeared during the Revolution with the abolition of privileges.

A beautiful collector’s item, in very good condition, with slight wear to the gold.

Saucer diameter: 12.7 cm
Cup diameter: 6.3 cm
Cup height: 6.2 cm