Edition of a cup made by the Manufacture de Sèvres in 1773.
It represents Louis XVI (1754-1793) and is part of a set of two cups with the effigies of the latter and Marie-Antoinette. The decoration of these two cups and saucers called "litron cup" is composed in the same way but vary in the design of the friezes.
On the Au Roi Louis XVI mug is a crimson-colored medallion with the king's profile in the center painted in “grisaille” to create the illusion of a cameo. The author is Pithou the elder, his drawing of great finesse highlights the details of the face, the hair and the coat of the king bringing out the shadows and the lights in a very subtle way.
The cup and saucer are decorated with a large frieze of braces punctuated by daisies and decorated in the center by a "partridge eye". It is surrounded on both sides by bands of burnished gold tulip palms painted by the gilder of the Sèvres factory, Pierre l'Ainé.
The geometric alternation of the cross frieze and the graceful strips of scrolls is inspired by the decorative elements of the king's furniture which gave birth to the unique elegance of the Louis XVI style.

The original of this cup is kept at the Carnavalet Museum in Paris.