A rare Meissen tea and coffee service circa 1770

each piece finely painted perhaps by Johann Georg Löhnig, with colourful anthropomorphic scenes, comprising:
a silver-gilt mounted coffee pot, teapot and milk jug, a sugar bowl and cover, a tea canister and cover, twelve teacups, six coffee cups and eighteen saucers

Formerly in the collection of Comte Ferdinand d'Oultremont, Blicquy ( late 18th century) and thence by descent to the current owner

There is a haircrack to one coffee cup, approx. 3ins. Also a shallow chip to the rim of one saucer, approx. ½in. by ¼in. Otherwise in very good condition with some typical wear the gilding on the rims, particularly to the saucers.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Anthropomorphic scenes of this quality and invention are rare at Meissen; the reference pieces are a part tête-à-tête in the Zwinger at Dresden, and a service sold at Sotheby's, 4th March 1986, lot 301, on which one piece is dated 1768. The Zwinger set is traditionally attributed to Löhnig, but since he joined the factory only in 1770, there remains some work to be done in making a firm attribution of this amusing and desirable decoration. Other pieces with this decoration include a teapot and cover sold Sotheby's New York, 8th November 1985, lot 212, two cups and saucers sold at Sotheby's  New York, 13th October, 1983, lots 117 and 118, and a service sold Sotheby's London, 15th June 1993, lot 181.In addition, a cup and saucer were in the M.von Oppenheimer collection, see the Catalogue, pl.55, and another was illustrated by Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, 1710-1810, page 171, pl.738