Teacups

MakerMade by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, Ltd. (English, 1895 - present)

RetailerSold by G. Fox and Co. (American, founded 1847)

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Marie P. Coburn

Date1962

MediumMechanically-molded cream-colored earthenware with underglaze red decoration

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width including handle x depth): 2 3/8 x 4 1/2 x 3 3/4in. (6 x 11.4 x 9.5cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineGift of Marie P. Coburn

Object number1998.69.0.3-.6

DescriptionGroup of four cream-color earthenware teacups, a type of ceramic known as creamware. These teacups are part of a larger group of tea and dinner wares consisting of one creamer (.1), a lidded sugar bowl (.2a-b), four teacups (.3-.6), six saucers (.7-.12), six bread-and-butter plates (.13-.18), seven dinner plates (.19-.25) and six smaller plates (.26-.31). The group of tea and dinner wares is decorated with the same red, underglaze, transfer-printed elements, generally a pattern and border. The pattern consists of a branch containing several of the same kind of flower, the mountain laurel. The border consists of a trailing vine with leaves, interrupted periodically by a cluster of five of these same flowers. Various ceramics in the set are decorated with a shield containing three vines on three trelisses.

The teacups each sit on a circular foot and have gently ribbed sides and a small applied handle. The teacups are decorated with the border of trailing vines, leaves, and flowers, printed on the outside of each teacup below the rim. On one side, to the left of the handle, the border is interrupted by a wide shield-shaped area with a small landscape inside. The landscape shows a steamboat on a river, with a town on the far shore. Domed towers, steeples, and some small buildings are visible in the town. There is a small chip in the foot of teacup (.5).

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