Cheerful Mid-20th Century Yellow Porcelain Tea Service for Six

This German porcelain tea service for six, made in Bavaria in the mid-20th century, comprises a teapot with domed lid and finial, a milk jug, and six cups with matching saucers. The softly lobed bodies are raised on delicate scalloped pedestal feet, while pierced scroll handles add a rococo flourish. The palette combines a cheerful lemon-yellow ground with crisp white rims, handles, and bases, creating a lively yet refined contrast. Each piece is marked beneath, confirming origin. Condition is very good, with light surface wear and minor kiln speckling consistent with age.

The design reflects Germany’s mastery of hard-paste porcelain, first developed in the early 1700s, and the 19th-century revival of rococo forms popularized by Meissen and Dresden. The lobed profiles, scalloped feet, and sinuous handles draw inspiration from mid-18th-century models, while the bold monochrome glaze reflects mid-20th century taste for vibrant table services. Such ensembles were central to the rituals of afternoon coffee and cake, uniting elegance with daily use.

Charming in both function and display, the service makes a bright accent in a breakfast room, garden room, or light-filled kitchen. The sculpted feet and scroll handles are especially striking when arranged together on open shelving or in a glass-fronted cabinet. For service, pair with white linens and simple silver to create a fresh tablescape; the extra saucer can be set aside for lemon, sugar cubes, or small biscuits.