Tea cups

Tea anyone?

The fun in collecting old things is sometimes rediscovering past passions and pastimes.

I remember how mom often brought out a few teacups when her mom or friends visited – just a little elegant touch. No mugs allowed.

Many years ago my husband’s grandmother, Mary Keen, asked all of us grandkids and spouses to come and let her know what we’d like when she passed away. Her way of preserving her own memory.

None of my in-laws wanted her teacup collection – they took a cup or two out of a feeling of obligation. She loved those cups. When she was a young bride, her friends threw a teacup shower, a tradition that has since faded.

So, I gained six cups which grace the top shelf in the 19th century bowed oak and glass china cabinet also handed down to us from Grandma Keen. Then an elderly neighbour’s kids had a yard sale, with dozens of beautiful tea cups for sale for $1 each. I picked up a beauty to remember her by.

Then I found a gorgeous Coalport blue and white cup with shells and seaweed spreading delicate tendrils from the bottom up.

From time to time I pick them up for Myrtle’s. Recently though my good friend Charlene Durant needed a LOT for her amazing business Champagne Floral Designs (check it out on Facebook OR https://champagnefloraldesigns.ca/). She had a concept for a floral arrangement perfect for Mother’s Day which used a teacup for a base. My assignment was to buy as many good quality sturdy cups as I could find. Sounds like heaven until she told me what my budget was and it was tight. But I rose to the challenge and hunted high and low and found what she needed.

The result is amazing – see the photos here with another photo of three of the more than two dozen I found for her.

Sometimes you can a find a new use for an old thing and this is a perfect example.

I think these things are meant to be used in any way that makes sense for you.

You can pick up any manner of teacups at thrift stores, yard sales etc.

They can range anywhere from a $2 to $100 – but at auctions some teacups can be very valuable due to their rarity or special features.

Some tips:

1)     Like everything, make sure there are no chips or cracks. A little wear is OK, such as around the gold rim of a cup or saucer.

2)     Certain manufacturers and then again, certain patterns are more sought after than others. Top collectibles include Aynsley, Coalport and Shelley, Meissen, Spode and of course Royal Doulton or any Limoges. I once saw a beautiful Aynsley teacup with a cabbage rose pattern signed Bailey hit $425 (!) . At the same auction, an Aynsely Fruit & Gold Interior Cup and saucer fetched $215.  I’ve seen many in the $50 to $100 range. And I’ve been lucky too – nabbing that great Coalport teacup in perfect condition found in a lot of teacups, providing that Eureka! that comes with finding buried treasure.

3)     Bone china vs. porcelain – bone china is often slightly more valuable. To tell whether a cup is bone china, hold it up to the light to see if you can see it through the cup. If you can, it’s bone.

4)      Keep age in mind – the older a cup and condition, often the higher the price.

5)     If you’re just starting a collection and you’d like to display it, consider a theme – blue and white or gold rimmed only (my pick), florals or solids, or maybe one brand or style.

Final tip – as much as I love my dishwasher, antique teacups don’t. They were made to be handled with care so bear that in mind. Enjoy, pour a cuppa, better yet pour two when your friend stops by and share a yarn.