Klinger Bugs Cup & Saucer

This is a very early and superb cup and saucer set made by Meissen in about 1740-1745. The shape is superb and the decoration is about as fun as it gets :) The set is handpainted with a lot of insects including a wasp, butterfly, some beatles, a lady bug and my favorite the large grasshopper in the center of the saucer. Gold trim to the edges and the handle. Nice flower to the inside bottom of the cup. As if the insects weren't special enough yet they all have the shadow painted under them a style that is often attributed to Klinger as a painter which is probably more of a myth since as far as I know only one signed piece is known by him and it was not shaded. Either way the bugs are of top quality and the shade makes them seem lifelike and they pop out of the porcelain background. The cup and saucer are in superb condition with a bit of wear to the gold trim and one spot on the grasshoppers leg is lighter from stacking wear. Nothing that takes away from this fun set! The cup is just over 2 inches tall, 3.25 inches from front to back without the handle and just under 3.125 inches wide. The saucer is 1.125 to 1.25 inches tall, 5.375 inches wide and 4.625 inches deep. Both pieces are marked with the underglaze blue crossed swords mark underneath as well as an impressed number. Please email me for more information or other pictures.