A charming and richly detailed pair of Chinese export porcelain handled cups and saucers made for the American market each piece depicting the scene of a Sailor’s Farewell with a heartbroken young lady embracing her departing beau as he gestures to the ship he is about to board in the distance which appears to be flying an American flag.  Poignantly, a pair of love birds are flying apart in the sky above, and a nicely detailed village view completes the scene.  All rendered in a puce enamel, most likely taken from an engraving of the period and very unusual to be incorporating the flag of the newly created American republic on the ship.  Very minor rim roughness corrected, and some minor wear and re-touch to enamels, otherwise very good condition. Late 18th century.