teacup and saucer, fluted moulding, fluted, decorated in puce, rococo moulded handle, in an adapted Kakiemon (Japanese) design with overglaze puce enamel and touches of gilded, copied from a Meissen design circa 1740. The well of the teacup is also decorated with the floral design and touches of gilded. The design is sometimes referred to as a banded-hedge type and the presence of a Rococo moulded handle, also indicates a European influence on this rare Worcester Japanese style design. The diaper border design on the saucer and interior of the cup is also indicative of this European influence, Although essentially an oriental pattern with so called banded hedges, the presence of a Rococo moulded handle indicates the direct origin of this rare design. handled teacups were in fashion in Europe and only rarely occur with oriental patterns. The finely reeded shape is usually seen only in blue and white, with patterns derived from France. Here, though, the shape and pattern copy German porcelain. Adapted Kakiemon designs in puce, monochrome with slight gilded were made at Meissen earlier in the 18th century. They were subsequently copied by several smaller German porcelain factories in Thuringia, especially after 1770. The border, in this case, suggests a Meissen example of a circa 1740 was copied at Worcester, not as a direct replacement but as an unusual pattern on full tea services. Some Worcester examples are not so well executed as this cup and saucer and it is possible that these are the work of an outside decorator. This pattern is known on a Lowestoft punch pot of circa 1772-75.