Historic cup aux rosaces violines old manufacture royale bernardaud

The litron cup, also called a “square cup” (its height being equal to its diameter), takes its name from the latin litra expressing a unit of measurement for liquids. Its size is not defined however: there are four different capacities. The saucer, which is always associated with it, has the shape of a flat-bottomed cup. This cup appeared at the vincennes factory in 1752, as the consumption of chocolate, tea and coffee began to spread. When tea and coffee cups differentiated at the beginning of the 19th century, the litron cup became a coffee cup, giving rise to a practice that remained in use until the beginning of the 20th century, that of pouring a little coffee into the saucer to cool it before drinking it. The litron cup is almost always dissociated from any service: it is a creation in itself, each decoration of which is unique and whose shape stands the test of time, without being subject to passing influences. It represents a true exercise in style renewed at different periods, which makes it a very popular collector's item. Large square "litron" coffee cup extra new, signed on the back: 1737 - former royale manufacture of limoges - france "aux rosaces violines" original at the national ceramic museum - sèvres decor taken from collection, sold for €310 each on special order at bernardaud (price 01/2023) sold for 190 euros.

Ref. : 7GFEZ8SE