Derby Porcelain Coffee Cup & Saucer decorated by William Billingsley

A rare Derby large coffee cup & saucer c.1785. Very finely painted by William Billingsley with carefully executed sprays of flowers with his typical signature roses. Each piece trimly finished with gilding by Joseph Stables. The saucer marked with puce crown over crossed batons and the letter 'D'. The inside of the foot rimmarked with Billingsley's long tailed '7' decorators mark in red and also a number '2' for Joseph Stables in puce. The coffee cup is unmarked. 

This pattern is very similar to pattern number 80 which is illustrated by Stephen Mitchell on plate 72 of his book 'The Marks on Chelsea-Derby'.

Condition: Some wear to the gilding of around the rim of the coffee cup and the saucer. Slight surface chip to the centre of the saucer. 

Height of coffee cup: 8 cm

Diameter of saucer: 14 cm