Your CartSummer is the perfect time to take a break and to take a little time to smell the roses and really concentrate on the beauty of our days. A favorite way for me to do that is to brew a pot of tea, and then sip it slowly from a beautiful antique or vintage tea cup in the garden. More than just a hot drink, brewing and sipping tea is a celebration of every day life. Even when the temperature outside is summery, tea is the drink most Europeans drink every afternoon. Today let’s talk about COLLECTING ANTIQUE TEA CUPS.
Drinking tea encourages thoughtful, peaceful thoughts, it brings a sense of peace and calm to an otherwise hectic day. The cups you drink from make a huge difference! It’s why most tea cup collectors collect; they not only cherish and appreciate the fine porcelain cups that are works of art in their own right, they know that a cup of tea will always taste much better from one!
The cup you drink your tea from will make a huge difference in how much you enjoy it, how aromatic the tea is, and how exceptional it will taste.
Have you ever made the very same tea as a day in the past, with the same amount, brewing time, and exact same tea pot, but somehow it’s not quite as good, and it’s a little flatter, and disappointing?
It’s the CUP, not the tea!
These days we treat all our coffee mugs, tea cups and or glasses for tea the same. A lot of times, we tend to choose a cup for it’s size, or just grab one that’s easy to reach.
Cups are not really interchangeable! The material they are made of impact the taste of tea, especially for the more aromatic specialty teas that are a little more complex.
If you want to get a luxurious, enjoyable cup of tea each time you drink one, you need to really focus on the kind of cup you are drinking from!
If you want to get the best out of every cup of tea you drink, switch your thinking from what’s big or easy, and concentrate on the style of cup and what it’s made of.
Porcelain is the top choice of every tea connoisseur. Teacups have been in use in China since 220AD, but the teacups we use today originated in Europe in the early 1600’s. At that time, the Chinese sipped their tea from small porcelain bowls without a handle, but since the upper class Europeans most often used silver or pewter serving ware at that time, it was obvious that a different type of “container” for the hot liquid needed to be designed to prevent burning fingers.
When porcelain began being manufactured in Europe, delicate cups with handles were designed to drink the hot and quite expensive tea from – and the teacup was born!
There is something in the nature of tea that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation of life.
-Lin Yutang
What does a cup need to have or be to bring out the best in your tea?
Not just any cup will do, the cup needs to be non-porous so that it doesn’t interfere with the blossoming of the aromas and flavors, and it should not “leach” anything from the cup into the liquid.
It also needs to keep the tea to your preferred temperature, it should keep it hot – but not too hot to drink. It’s why most tea drinkers love the large bowls of traditional tea cups, not only does it allow the “bouquet” of the tea to develop – {think of the wide glass for red wine} – it allows the tea to cool in “layers” first at the very top, then gradually, as you drink more of the tea, down to the bottom.
Drink your tea at the right temperature
Most of us don’t really think about how the cup handles heat, but it’s a very important part of choosing a cup to drink from. The wider bowl is for a cup of tea that you want to savor and drink quite quickly. The more narrow tea cups are meant to keep the tea warm longer, which became a preferred shape in the 1920’s and onward for many.
These cups still have the right shape and material to keep the tea aromatic and perfectly wonderful, but they allow for a slower enjoyment, perhaps while reading a book.
It is thought that the need to keep tea hot is the origin of “tipping” – the traditional English tea cup for black tea was a thin, wide porcelain cup, because it allowed the tea to have wonderful aromatic flavor and scent. But the thinness of the porcelain and the wide bowl meant that the tea would cool quickly.
The tea gardens of the late 18th century in London were a cultural phenomena where families and unchaperoned women could gather outdoors to enjoy a cup of tea together. Legend has it that because it was imperative that the tea was brought to the outdoor tables piping hot, a little box with a slot and a sign T.I.P.S. – “To Ensure Prompt Service” – became the custom. Customers could slip money inside as they were seated, and the waiter would speed up the arrival of the hot tea from the small kitchen. That pre-payment for service became our tipping system that we have today for good service.
COLLECTING ANTIQUE TEACUPS
Tea and tea time reached its height during Victorian times. Well-to-do ladies “had” afternoon tea, and gave each other beautiful tea cup and saucer sets as a luxury present for bridal showers, weddings, and as hostess and birthday gifts.
There are many avid tea cup collectors all around the world! At FrenchGardenHouse, we have shipped our exquisite tea cups to clients all over the world. I try to have a variety of tea cups and saucers, but will admit that these days the old, the rare, the exceptional and the “just because they make me smile” cups are the ones I seek out.
Cherished for their reminder of a more genteel time, and perhaps sweet memories of tea and cookies, collectable antique tea cups are quickly gaining popularity among collectors.
Driven by a passion to acquire another irresistible specimen, collectors are avid pursuers of antique teacups of high quality. Our more rare and exceptional antique teacups tend to sell quickly, and no wonder! Who doesn’t LOVE cookies, tea time and beautiful porcelain?
Here are a few tips to help you begin a collection of your own.
TIPS FOR COLLECTING TEA CUPS:
1. EDIT. Choose cups that speak to you personally. Don’t feel you have to collect every kind of tea cup, unless you want to. There are so many different kinds to chose from. Each has its own charms.
2. CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE. Tea cups come in all colors. Choose a color scheme that fits your home decor, and your collection will infuse your home with the colors you love. Then again, I have clients who just collect cups that they can’t live without, or cups that make them happy. One collects only pink cups, one collects only cups with flowers. Whether your style is traditional, or more contemporary in feeling, there are teacups that will fit the mood!
3. CHOOSE WISELY. Take the time to learn about luxury quality cups, and what they look like. There are reproductions out there, most cups and saucers are marked, although not all of them. I have sold antique French porcelain cups without a mark, there are even Sevres quality cups and saucers that come without a mark. Buy from someone you trust {I hope it’s me!} Some wear to the gilt is acceptable, after all these cups were used for over a hundred years if they are antiques. But nothing too distracting, A high quality antique tea cup can cost from below a hundred dollars to several thousands, depending on the quality, rarity and manufacturer.
There is a tea cup set for almost every budget!
CARING FOR YOUR ANTIQUE & VINTAGE TEA CUPS
Antique and vintage Porcelain and bone china is more delicate than your everyday dishes. While I encourage you to use them on a regular basis, if you are careful with how you wash the cups and saucers, they will last a lifetime or more!
- Never put them in the dishwasher, the hand painting and/or gilt trim will be damaged.
- Always hand wash with a mild soap, non-lemon scented is best.
- Do not soak your antique and vintage tea cups too long. It may cause a problem with the glaze, or gold trim.
- Dry your cups and saucers right after you have washed and rinsed them.
- Make sure that if you have used lemon slices in your tea cup that you clean or at least rinse your cups quickly.
- Store in a cabinet behind glass when possible, not only does this look beautiful, but there is something about storing porcelain behind glass doors vs. closed doors that is good for it.
I have unpacked some gorgeous tea cups for all of us! I’m so excited about them, especially the most rare ones. I was able to find some extremely rare examples of early 1800’s French Old Paris Porcelain cups with hand painted portraits, each cup is a work of original art! But there are also cups that are affordable {because as you probably guessed, those Old Paris cups are for serious collectors only, or for you if you have been very, very good.}
SOME OTHER FAVORITE TEA POSTS FOR YOU TO ENJOY:
The Secret Lives of Antique Silver TEA STRAINERS
How to Make the PERFECT POT OF TEA
How to Host a PROPER TEA PARTY
And…because it’s never too early to plan this one……
I hope you have enjoyed this post on tea cups. This week, I plan to drink at least one cup of relaxing tea in the afternoons as our family gets ready for our youngest girl to marry her Prince.
I have my dress, my shoes {which I hope I can wear all evening long!} and I just found the perfect vintage evening bag that I’ve dressed up with an antique paste buckle and vintage chain. I wish you a beautiful week!
I’ll probably not blog again until next week, as there is so much to prepare for. Mostly preparing myself not to go into the ugly cry during the ceremony, if I could delicately sniff into an antique handkerchief, that would be good! Wish me luck!
à bientôt
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Wonderful post. I have teacups from my grandmother. When I was young teacups were given to young women as gifts and I have most of mine. Sadly I slipped into the habit of grabbing any old cup to drink my tea. I must mend my ways!
I wish you all the best for a beautiful wedding and best wishes to the young couple.
Thank you Nancy, and how wonderful that you have teacups from your grandmother, and ones that were given to you! I know what you mean about that habit, this post was also a reminder for ME to use the right cup. My tea had not been half as enjoyable as it should be! Thank you for the best wishes…xo Lidy
Oh I do wish you luck! Why is it that only people in movies look gorgeous when they cry – it isn’t fair. A wedding sounds hugely exciting and I am sure it will be a magical time for you all. May it not fly too quickly! Thank for this absolutely lovely post. Bone china tea cups are (one of) my weaknesses. And I do not enjoy them quite as much if there’s a whole set of the same. Individual pieces are so thrilling, especially when there is a little cake plate to match the cup and saucer. XX Jeanne
Oh, I agree, Jeanne! It’s because they aren’t really crying! 🙂 Thank you for your wishes, and I also agree that each cup being an individual is magical!
I’ve inherited a tea service from my Oma. Never used it but it’s displayed on a silver tray . It’s gorgeous with little flowers.Next to it is a lovely silver and glass cut biscuit barrel which belonged to my Mom and Dad.
So I really adore your teacups although I don’t collect them.
Anja, I hope maybe you will start using the tea set from your Oma for special occasions? It sounds beautiful! Together with the crystal and silver biscuit barrel from your Mom & Dad it would be great to use for holidays?
What a fun week ahead for you and your daughter. I hope it is everthing she has ever dreamed of and that your shoes remain comfortable throughout. Your tea cups are exquisite. I was in Charlestion during their festival once and at that time they had an antique market in the old slave market. I spied a beautiful tea service and wanted it badly but couldn’t afford. I kept going back to look at it and the dealer said to come back at the close of the day and if it hadn’t sold she would reduce the price for me. It was my lucky day and it has been a part of my home ever since. My next door neighbors young daughter loves to take the sugar tongs to retrieve a sugar cube to enjoy. She is becoming the age that she can handle a beautiful cup of warm tea and I am looking forward to serving her tea in an antique up.
Alice, thank you so much for your kind wishes. And how exciting that you were able to buy the tea service, and that it sounds like you use it, too! The silver tongs, those are magical aren’t they? My own little people find them thrilling to use too. I hope you have many special tea times with your dear neighbor friend.
Delightful and informative post. Pinning for further study!
Beautiful styling and photography.
Thank you so much, Bonnie! Hope your day is happy!
I so enjoyed reading this post, while I was drinking my afternoon of cup of Ceylon tea with milk, some warm scones with butter and strawberry jam. To me serving afternoon tea to entertain friends is the epitome of elegance. Wishing your daughter and husband a wonderful marriage, have a wonderful day!
Oh, that sounds delicious Noreen~ I agree, afternoon tea is elegant. And thank you so much for your beautiful wishes.
What a fascinating post! I was unaware of much of what you shared. Now I’m going to share a bit of trivia with you.
In middle Georgia (Deep Step, to be exact) there are several kaolin mines. Kaolin is a chalky white clay that has many uses. For many years people have eaten it for digestive issues although it is not recommended today. One of it’s uses – Kaopectate. Also milk of magnesia. One of the mines (the largest, I believe) is owned by a French company and all off their kaolin is shipped to France. If you guessed it’s used to make porcelain, you’re right!
Vicky, that is so interesting! I knew kaolin is used to make porcelain, but somehow missed that it is the ingredient in Kaopectate and Mild of Magnesia. Thank you for teaching me something new today, I love it!
I have tears of joy for you and your family , Lidy. God Bless and Keep you all Forever.
Thank you for such a beautiful post this gentle morning.
XOXO,m
Thank you Mary, that is so sweet of you. It is a special time for any family, when they are blessed with adding a son or daughter to their number, isn’t it? xoxo Lidy
Gorgeous collection shown here!…I always felt that tea or any drink for that matter tastes better in a pretty cup!!….While many of my co-workers drank their coffee at their desks in their favorite mug, my choice was a tea cup and saucer…brought a bit of pretty to always a hectic day!….and made you smile too!
Love the tea poem!….will be thinking of you and the beautiful wedding…sounds like you are set and how great to have found a vintage purse and of course you go and make it better!!! Have a beautiful day!!
Lidy, Thank you for the inspiration. I’m going to start using the beautiful Aynsley bone china tea cups I inherited from my mother, instead of having them collect dust. I also forwarded this email to my daughter-in-law since she has been collecting tea cups for years.
Oh Peggy! That makes me {and your Mom!} so happy. Even if you broke one, it’s so much better to use them than to just have them sit in a closet. 🙂 I love it!
The French are so cleaver , making something out of the portraits
Lidy , it will be a beautiful wedding . Such a wonderful , special time .everything will be perfect because of you
Hugs Chris
Lidy loved the article on Collecting Tea Cups. I have been an avid collector of Antique and Vintage Tea Cups for many years. I love my Collection, and I do use them in my Bed & Breakfast for my guests to enjoy. Such fun when I come across one that I must have when visiting an antique shop.
I have given many of my friends Antique Tea Cups as gifts I put a couple of my favorite wrapped tea bags inside the cup, along with a antique silver spoon that I lay on the saucer, and a small antique tea napkin.
I wrap the cup and saucer, spoon and napkin in clear cellophanne, and tie it with a pretty ribbons. I have started many of my friends collecting their own teacup collections after giving them the little gift. They also say that when they are having their tea in the teacup I have given them, that I come to mind while they are having their tea.
Forgot to wish you and your family Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. Enjoy the Special day.
I’m sure eveything will be lovely with all your Special Touches. I actually attended a wedding where the
Bride bought Antique Teacups online, and she used them as table favors filled with candies, they too were indivually wrapped in clear cellophane with ribbons. It was a Victorian themed wedding.
Janice,
That is such a sweet and clever idea! I love that, especially the part about when they use their cup, they think of you!!
Very timely as we’re into iced tea season. I just brought out an old painted japanese teacup to enjoy a cup of cardamom tea with lemon while sitting amongst the pines on this hot afternoon. (because the teacup suited the pines!) Talk about mixing cultures. Interesting about the lemon so I shall go and rinse right away. I started collecting only yellow cups, but then something beautiful comes along I can’t resist…