Fontanille & Marraud Limoges Napoleon Espresso Cup and Saucer

Item: Espresso Cup & Saucer

Make: Fontanille Marraud Limoges (France)

Age: ca. 1940

Pattern: Napoleonic Green & Gilt

Construction: Porcelain

Dimensions: Cup - 2” Tall x 2 1/2” Wide (to handle) / Saucer - 4” Diameter

Condition: Excellent. No chips, cracks, or crazing. Some extremely minor gold loss. Interior of the cup has some very faint staining. Please see photos.

Details: Martial Fontanille began a porcelain decorating workshop in Rue de l'Hermitage, Limoges, in 1928. In 1938 he hired his son-in-law Maurice Marraud as director. They produced luxury wares and a wide range of Limoges blanks, including Limoges boxes, which were entirely hand painted at first, but more recently were decorated with transfers, like this piece. Fontanille & Marraud occasionally used the name, "Porcelain Artistique", which is stamped on both the cup and saucer bottoms along with the initials, “F.M Limoges France, Label de Qualité”.