PERRUCHE À JOUER ROUGE Litron cup & saucer

This is an identical replica of a litron coffee cup made by the Sèvres manufactory in 1769. This striking representation of red-cheeked cockatiel, recalling the well-known bird illustrations by the naturalist Buffon, is enclosed by a stylized «peacock feather» pattern in sky blue and crimson, colors that were popular in Louis XV’s day. The original representations of the cockatiel and American bluejay were the work of Chappuis, a talented animal painter known for his delicate shades and refined landscapes. The gold trim around the cartouches was engraved with an unusual and extremely sophisticated crisscross pattern by the manufactory’s famous gilder, Etienne Henry le Guay, who worked on many of the porcelain pieces for the royal family.