Teacups
MakerPossibly made by
Staffordshire potteries
(English, 17th century-present)
Dateabout 1820-1830
MediumMechanically-molded porcelain with overglaze black enamel and pink luster decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width including handle x depth of each teacup): 2 3/8 x 4 1/8 x 3 1/2in. (6 x 10.5 x 8.9cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Richard Wayne
Object number1976.111.1-.6
DescriptionGroup of six round, white porcelain teacups with black, transfer-printed enamel and pink luster decoration. The teacups are part of a partial tea service consisting of six teacups, six saucers, and one sugar bowl. Each object in the service is decorated with the same black, transfer-printed scene of a man leaning on a tree and looking down. At his feet, a woman is kneeling and pulling a blanket over a sleeping child. The child is resting on a pile of hay, and there is a wheat field with workers harvesting in the background. Each object in the service has a band of pink luster at the rim.
The group of six teacups follow the pattern described above with the black transfer-painted pattern found to the left of a molded and applied handle. There is a band of pink luster on the inside of the rim, and a line of pink luster applied to the handle. In addition, the teacups have a second transfer-printed design showing a bundle of wheat in front of a crossed scythe, sickle, and rake. The wheat is framed by a flower, leaf, and vine decoration. The remnants of pink luster on the foot of one teacup (.5) suggest that there may have been luster on the feet of all the teacups.
The teacups are in various conditions, as described below:
Teacup .1 has a hairline crack through the bottom of the handle, and wear to the luster decoration. Teacup .2 has wear to the luster and a putty-like substance adhered to the inside and outside of the bottom of the cup, probably an early repair. Teacup .3 has wear to the luster and a thin papery substance applied to the outside and bottom of the foot, probably an earlier repair using thinly applied putty. Teacup .4 has wear to the luster but no structural damage. Teacup .5 has a relatively large loss from the rim to the left of the handle, which leads to a crack that runs down the side of the teacup and below the handle, Teacup .6 has wear to the luster, a chip in the foot, and cracks that radiate outward from a spot on the bottom of the teacup.
The group of six teacups follow the pattern described above with the black transfer-painted pattern found to the left of a molded and applied handle. There is a band of pink luster on the inside of the rim, and a line of pink luster applied to the handle. In addition, the teacups have a second transfer-printed design showing a bundle of wheat in front of a crossed scythe, sickle, and rake. The wheat is framed by a flower, leaf, and vine decoration. The remnants of pink luster on the foot of one teacup (.5) suggest that there may have been luster on the feet of all the teacups.
The teacups are in various conditions, as described below:
Teacup .1 has a hairline crack through the bottom of the handle, and wear to the luster decoration. Teacup .2 has wear to the luster and a putty-like substance adhered to the inside and outside of the bottom of the cup, probably an early repair. Teacup .3 has wear to the luster and a thin papery substance applied to the outside and bottom of the foot, probably an earlier repair using thinly applied putty. Teacup .4 has wear to the luster but no structural damage. Teacup .5 has a relatively large loss from the rim to the left of the handle, which leads to a crack that runs down the side of the teacup and below the handle, Teacup .6 has wear to the luster, a chip in the foot, and cracks that radiate outward from a spot on the bottom of the teacup.
Status
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