Matteo D'Agostino - Ernestine Virden Cannon - Coffee service (39) - Earthenware

Italian-made coffee and dessert service: 12 coffee cups / 12 saucers and 12 dessert plates, plus a coffee pot, a sugar bowl, and a milk jug / 39 pieces in total / This magnificent service by Ernestine Salerno is made of faience (a porous-bodied ceramic covered with an impermeable enamel or glaze), often described by collectors as Italian art pottery.
The Salerno factory was renowned for its distinctive technique:
• The base: Locally selected terracotta, chosen for its lightness compared with traditional industrial faience.
• The finish: A glaze or enamel (here in a monochrome cream/ivory shade) that gives it a smooth, slightly glossy appearance.
Ernestine Salerno faience is especially prized for its handcrafted, authentic look, but it is more susceptible to knocks than porcelain. The cups are 7 cm high, the saucers are 14 cm long, and the dessert plates are 20 cm.