Early 20th Century Souvenir Cup and Saucer Set ‘A Present from Ireland’ with Lustre Finish

This is a lovely example of a souvenir cup and saucer set, probably originating from Czechoslovakia and dating to the early 20th century.

The cup is of rounded form and stands on four scrolled feet. On one side, there is an ornate scrolled handle. There is a stripe of gilding down the side of the handle, and along the edge of the rim. The exterior is moulded with a linear motif with a scalloped edge; this is reminiscent of shells. There is a gilded cartouche on one side, which is printed in gold with the words ‘A PRESENT FROM IRELAND’ in Gothic font.

The saucer has a flattened, everted rim with a scalloped edge. It is moulded with the same shell-like motif as the exterior of the cup. There is a central raised cup ring. The underside of the saucer is stamped in gold with the number ’47’.

Both pieces have been glazed in a pearly off-white, over which is applied a bold, iridescent finish. This is often referred to as ‘Lustre Ware’.

The cup has a height of approximately 7.3cm and a diameter across the rim of about 8.9cm. The saucer has a diameter across the rim of 14.7cm.

The cup has a liquid capacity (to the brim) of 225ml.

They have an unwrapped weight of 220g.

They are in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, although there is some minor wear to the gilding at the rim, which is commensurate with age. There is also a small mark on the rim, near the handle, which can be felt with a fingernail. This would have been produced when the rim was finished, as the gilding flows into it.