Tea cup and saucer
Staffordshire, England
1830-1850
Measurements
Cup, 2-1/2 in x 4-1/8 in x 3-1/2 in (dia); saucer, 1-1.8 in x 5-3/4 in (dia)
Materials
Glazed enamel and pink luster on white earthenware
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, anonymous gift
Accession Number
2023.16
Comments
The pink lusterware decoration on this cup and saucer was among the most popular decorative techniques used on Staffordshire ceramics made in the second quarter of the 19th century. Similarly, the picturesque architectural designs showing steep-gabled cottages were popular and widespread. This saucer has two cottages on the rim and a third, larger one in the center. The accompanying cup has views on each side, one of which is a cottage. More unusual, the cup and saucer have relief-molded wreaths (four on the cup and four on the saucer) that underlay the painted glaze decoration. The combination of glazed and molded decoration creates a very complex surface.
The high-quality cup and saucer clay bodies are thin and translucent. The molded handle design relates to other pink lusterwares (see, e.g., accession nos. 2023.14, 2023.17, 2023.21).
