This beautiful standard size tea cup and saucer, signed "Bertha 1905" and initialed "A.S.B.", is probably the house favorite of the Rosenquist estate, discovered in Toronto, Ontario and most likely created by a Canadian china artist. All hand-painted, the Summery blue Bachelor Buttons are set against a creamy with hints of pink background. The gold work is exquisite, with intricate raised-paste scrollwork and cross-hatch detail, and raised gold, white and blue enamel dot accents against a wide free-form gold band on both cup and saucer. The inside of the cup also has an intricately hand-painted gold geometric decorative border along the inside rim -- a finishing touch reminiscent of a gourmet pie crust. This gorgeous piece has both a certain naiveté in its wildflowers theme, as well as an air of stunning sophistication in the remarkable gold overlay. It is truly a unique piece and one which we will find hard to part with!
The saucer measures 5.5" in diameter. The cup measures 4.25" across the handle, and 2.25" tall.
There are no chips in cup or saucer, although there is a very tiny hairline in the glaze on the bottom of the saucer, which does not show through to the gold work on the top side nor which detracts in any way whatsoever from the remarkable artistry of this Century-old beauty. The delicate mold is most likely unmarked Haviland Limoges, with a stamped "5A" mark on the bottom of the saucer.

© 2007 Rosenquist Collection