Rare Antique Staffordshire Tea Bowl and Saucer with a stunning beehive or bee skep design in blue and white. This early 1800's tea bowl and plate has a strong pearlware glaze and crisp transfer. This set is an absolute treasure, both pieces have the most charming designs of a bee skep in garden settings.
These cup plates were used as a rest for handleless teacups when it was fashionable to pour the tea from the cup into the saucer and drink from the saucer. After drinking, you would put the teacup down on the plate so that the tea wouldn't drip or stain the table cloth. To find an early set like this is a rare delight. This is in amazing condition, a fabulous addition to your collection of antique English tea bowls.
