Royal Stafford Teacup

Hello Everyone,
First, I want to thank everyone who visited my "high heels" post last week. It was fun reading your comments about the wearing (and not wearing) of high heels! I most definitely prefer cute flats now, but I would love to wear heels again for a special occasion. So, if, or when, that happens - I'll share with you, I promise!

My sister and I went antiquing in a nearby town last week, where I found this vintage Royal Stafford teacup. You won't believe how much I paid for it!

It was marked $2.00, and they were having a 20% off sale, so it cost me all of $1.60 plus tax! What drew me to this cup is the shape and color of the "bowl" of the cup (which doesn't show up well in my photo...but it's a very soft, pale shade of pink.)

From my research, I found that Royal Stafford is a "brand name" of an English company from Staffordshire, England that was called Thomas Poole. The Thomas Poole Company was founded in 1880 (and formerly known as Johnson & Poole.) In 1952, the company was re-formed again and became known as Royal Stafford China. The backstamp on my cup dates it to this period, sometime after 1952.

I'll be posting photos of some of the other interesting things I saw at the antique barn later in the week. For now, I'm sharing my teacup on the Tuesday Tea Time link parties and other blogs listed below. Have a great week, everyone!

Cindy

Linking to the following Tea Parties and Blogs:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Teacup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Tea in the Garden at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog

Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser's Blog

A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home

Passion Parade Friday Link Soiree at Petites Passions

Foley China Teacup

Hello Everyone,
I haven't posted a teacup in quite a while, but my small collection grows slowly but surely. Today, I have a "new" cup to share with you - as in "new" to me, but it's actually quite old. This is a Foley China teacup and saucer in the Glengarry Thistle pattern. Pink flowers on a light blue background with gold trim. Very pretty!

It's my understanding that Foley China was produced by several different manufacturers in England. The backstamp on my cup says "Glengarry Thistle" Foley China, English Bone China, Made in England. This dates it to between 1930-1936.

I couldn't find an actual description of this pattern online, but the flowers look like clover. The antique shop where I found it had another one just like this. I may have to go back and get it! What do you think?

Have a wonderful week!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to the following Tea Parties and Blogs:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Teacup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser's Blog

A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Passion Parade Friday Link Soriee at Petites Passions

Theodore Haviland Limoges ~

I really wish I'd started collecting fine china teacups a long time ago! For a lifelong tea drinker, I can hardly believe I usually drank my tea from a sturdy ceramic mug, not a teacup! These cups add a whole new dimension to the "art of tea." Live and learn, right? Plus, not only are they beautiful works of art, but I'm finding that I'm fascinated with the history, as I research each cup I bring home. I've been so lucky with my finds, so far, and this is another fine example. I found this beauty at the same place, and for the same low price of $4.00, as my Russian Lomonosov teacup, which I posted about HERE. Today, I'm sharing a Theodore Haviland Limoges cup.

Of course, I've heard of Limoges (who hasn't, right?) but had never held one in my hands. I can't even begin to describe how delicate and paper-thin this china is - it's transparent when I hold it to the light. I know...it sounds like a case of true love, right? Well, yes...you're right! I'm in love with this teacup!

According to my research, the backstamp dates it to 1903.

It's in perfect condition ~ no chips or cracks. I love how the gold on the handle is lovingly worn, though, from years of wear. I like to reflect on "who drank from this cup?"  "Where did they live?" "What did she (or he) think about as they sipped tea from it?"  

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my new treasure. I found this quote during my research, "You can never be too rich, or too thin, or have too much Haviland."  If you're interested in reading the history of Haviland Limoges China, click HERE.

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking to: Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage
              Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations
            Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

                    A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

                     Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups

      White Wednesday at Faded Charm

              Teacup Thursday at Miss Spenser's Blog

                    Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

              

Austria Moritz Zdekauer Tea Cup

Each year the small town where I live holds a twice-monthly flea market, May through October. That's where I found this gorgeous teacup ~ at the very last flea market of the season! Lucky for me, since most people were selling things at half-price. The asking price for this cup and saucer was $8.00 (which I would have paid!) but I got it for only $4.00!  I am in love with this tea cup and saucer! The shape, the design, the soft pink, green and aqua colors, the fine, thin porcelain ~ everything!

The bottom markings are "Austria MZ" which stands for Moritz Zdekauer. I'm not an expert on the subject, but from the research I've done on the stamp, it seems my cup and saucer dates to 1891 - 1917. For more information on this and other Bohemian and Czechoslovakian china marks, click HERE. For a brief history of the Moritz Zdekauer company, which dates to 1810, click HERE.

It's so delicate and feminine. Look at the sweet heart-shape on the handle!

It would be very nice to have a whole tea set of this pattern ~ but I'm happy with my flea market find!

Until next time,

Cindy

Linking this post to the following:

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tuesday Tea for Two at The Plumed Pen

Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Tea Party Tuesday at Sweetology

Teacup Tuesday on Martha's Favorites

A Return to Loveliness on A Delightsome Life

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home