Wrought and chased silver, partly gilt, ebonized handle; porcelain with white glaze, polychrome paint and golden décor
Germany/France, circa 1770 and late 19th century
Cylindrical pot with profiled lid; the lid with a hole to stir the chocolate; wall of the pot with wrought festoon decoration; ebonized baluster handle
Pot hallmarked with ‘Aucoc’ and maker’s mark with coq and ‘AA’ standing for the silversmith André Aucoc (1856-1911), Paris
Two Meissen porcelain cups and decorative saucers with openwork gallery and space for the cup handle; porcelain pieces adorned with polychrome floral painting
Underglaze blue crossed swords mark of the Meissen porcelain manufactory, circa 1770
Gold embossed case by André Aucoc with fits and Bordeaux-colored velvet and silk lining
Height of pot: 14 cm; weight: circa 443 grams
Height of cups: 7 cm; diameter of saucers: 15.5 cm
Very good condition
Elegant Meissen chocolate service, Dejeuner or „tête à tête“ with a silver pot by Aucoc, one of the most famous jewelers and goldsmiths of the 19th century in France

This beautiful chocolate service consists of a French silver pot by André Aucoc from the late 19th century and two Meissen cups accompanied by decorative saucers from the 18th century. The cylindrical pot features a profiled cover with a central lidded hole for stirring the chocolate, as well as an ebonized prim handle. The wall of the pot displays a wrought festoon decor. The two cups are characterized by the extremely finely painted flowers in beautiful colors and the pretty curved handles. The saucers are each fitted with a gallery, showing an openwork rocaille decor. The set comes in the original case by André Aucoc made of gold embossed leather and equipped with fits and velvet and silk lining on the inside.

The pot is hallmarked with with ‘Aucoc’ and the maker’s mark with a coq and ‘AA’ standing for the silversmith André Aucoc (1856-1911), Paris. The cups show the Meissen underglaze blue crossed swords mark dating from around 1770 (one saucer with a grinding bar). The items are in very good condition. The porcelain pieces show only minor signs of use. The pot is a bit worn on the cover. The leather etui shows some abrasion and scratches. The height of the pot is 14 cm, and the weight is about 443 grams. The cups are 7 cm in height and have a diameter of 15.5 cm. Dimensions of the case: 15 x 44 x 23.5 cm.

Aucoc

Aucoc was a family of jewelers and goldsmiths, who was resident in Paris since 1821. Especially Louis Aucoc (1850-1932), who collaborated with his father and his brother, André Aucoc, was known as a leading Art Nouveau goldsmith. The family was patronised by King Louis Philippe, Napoleon III. and the Empress Eugénie, as well as the house of Orléans. From 1874 to 1876, René Lalique trained at Aucoc’s workshop.

Meissen

Porcelain was being used in royal courts since the 13th century, but had to be imported from China and was therefore usually overpriced and of lower quality. Europeans began researching porcelain production methods during the 18th century and in 1708 in Meissen they actually succeeded in producing real porcelain in Europe for the first time. The ‘Crossed Sword’ mark was first used in 1722 and has since stood for the highest quality of porcelain. In 2008 the invention of porcelain in Meissen celebrated its 300th anniversary.

Quality has always been the number one criteria for Meissen and they go as far as having their own mine to quarry the necessary kaolin, also known as china clay, for production. It can take anything from several years to entire decades to reach the degree of a ‘master painter’ in Meissen but judging by the quality of the painting, it is definitely worth it.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.