Limoges Coffee Service for Hermanos Gonzalez Alicante - 19th Century

Limoges porcelain coffee service made for the Hermanos González trading house in Alicante, late 19th century.

This set represents the historical collaboration between French Limoges manufactories and Spanish luxury distributors from the late Victorian era. The absence of a factory stamp is common in pieces produced by special order for prestigious commercial houses, where retailer exclusivity took precedence over the manufacturer's mark.

Technical details and composition:
- Period: Late 19th century (circa 1890)
- Technique: Molded white porcelain with transferred nautical scenes and hand-finished details, featuring high-carat gold handles and finials.
- Set composition: 1 teapot, 1 sugar bowl, 1 milk jug, 8 cups, and 8 saucers (19 pieces total).
- Measurements: 120 ml (4.06 oz) cups with a height of 6.5 cm (2.55 inches); 13 cm (5.11 inches) saucers.
- Material: Fine Limoges porcelain.

Condition:
Excellent condition for its age. No chips, cracks, or restorations. The gilding on the handles and rims is exceptionally preserved, with minimal wear consistent with age.

Collector's value:
A documentary piece for collectors of European porcelain and scholars of luxury trade networks in 19th-century Spain. Due to the delicacy of the gold and the age of the porcelain, this item is not suitable for dishwashers or microwaves.