Pair of beige Alcora ceramic bowls with embossed details, 18th/19th century

The mancerina is a type of saucer created in Peru in the 17th century for noblemen to enjoy hot chocolate. Originally made of silver, it began to be made of ceramic in the 18th century, when cocoa consumption spread throughout Europe, particularly at the Reale Fabrica Di L'Alcora. The mancerina allowed the bubbly hot chocolate to be sipped directly from this saucer.