An antique early twentieth century porcelain large bowled tea cup and saucer, some collectors may refer to this as a breakfast cup. The cup has an ornate gilded rococo scroll handle. The antique bona china cup and saucer have both been beautifully hand painted with gilded swags, or trailing stems, with roses in pink and white enamel over underglaze cobalt blue bands. The decoration is elegantly restrained and two thirds of the cup and saucer is left showing the bright white body which emphasises the design. They are each signed and dated on the bases by the artist - W. Lambert 1916.

W. Lambert who was possibly a freelance china painter, gilder and decorator known to have worked for William Larcombe who took over the King Street, Old Crown Derby China Works vases from the family of Sampson Hancock in 1915 and was later joined by Captain Francis Howard Paget as a partner in 1917. 

This cup and saucer was acquired along with a number of other items decorated by W. Lambert. These include a pair of vases signed and dated 1870; a William Larcombe period King Street Old Crown Derby China Works vase with the Angel of Peace also signed ; another Larcombe vase with the Greek Muse Clio; an earlier King Street Nolan Amphora shaped vase decorated with Paris and Oenone and two other cups and saucers one of which is also Bishop and Stonier that had obviously been originally purchased in the white and later decorated. 

This particular cup and saucer has a makers mark that has been overpainted in black. When held to the light at an angle it looks to be the Bisto caduceus mark of Bishop and Stonier. It is recorded that some of the wares decorated by the Derby porcelain works from the Old Crown Derby China Works in King Street, Derby, were bought in to help satisfy customer demand, it is feasible that this cup and saucer were such items. (Ref 1)

It is possible that W. Lambert may have been related to the notable China Artist George Lambert  who worked for the Derby Crown Porcelain Company set up in 1876 by Edward Phillips and William Litherland, this company later became the Royal Crown Derby Company.

This lovely antique English porcelain cup and saucer was probably decorated in the Derby porcelain works or the Old Crown Derby China Works in King Street, Derby, Derbyshire, England in the early 20th century.

Condition: They are in excellent antique condition with no chips cracks nor restoration. There is a tiny amount of rubbing to the gilded rim. Please see the images.

This is an extremely attractive pair for display or for use. Perfect for a mantle shelf, side table, sideboard or china cabinet. Suitable for a Derby porcelain collector, Bishop and Stonier aficionado, an antique tea cup collector or anyone interested in high quality hand decorated antique 20th century George V period ceramics. 

Dimensions 
Cup height 2 1/8 inches (5.4 cm).
Cup rim diameter 3 5/8 inches (9.3 cm). 
Saucer height 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Saucer diameter 4 5/8 inches (14 cm) .
Total weight 244 grammes unpacked

References:

1. Derby Porcelain Society website.