RARE SCOTTISH MOTIF ENGLISH CAUGHLEY COFFEE CUP AND SAUCER, C.1770

Scottish reconciliation period, two generations after Culloden when the Scottish rebels were broken and Scottish royalists tolerated at length. The pressures of war with America and France (with Spain waiting in the wings) demanded that England, with her Hanover king, enlist every resource. Despite their defeat, the voracity of the Scots was universally acknowledged and their military support was eagerly courted. The display of the thistle, an icon of Scottish pride, was forbidden by law before 1782, during which this set was produced. Yet, politics dictated that it be allowed, and Scottish pride, insisted that it be displayed against the law which called for imprisonment for such a display, and merely a few years earlier, would have been fully enforced.. 2 5/8” high and 5 3/8” diameter respectively. Both with the distinctive thistle and cobalt blue foliate band for the pattern, but each on a distinctive body. The cup of with shanked uniformly tapered body and flat bottom. The saucer with uniform taper in profile and recessed bottom rather than a standing foot. Both with the Caughley S mark to the bottom.  While competing with the emerging Worcester factory, Caughley is acknowledged as the premier quality manufacturer of the period. Excellent condition.