Gentle Rattle of China

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Gentle Rattle of China

vintage and antique tea sets

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New website!

Posted on February 6, 2018 by willa
Reading time less than 1 minute
Antiques

Cabaret set from 1893 – so very desired

Posted on June 22, 2017 by willa
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Antiques

English buttercups the Chinese way – Wileman 1893

Posted on June 20, 2017 by willa
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Antiques

Pristine white – Wileman Tea for Two 1889

Posted on June 17, 2017 by willa
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Vintage

Art Deco Tiger Lilies – Royal Winton 1930

Posted on June 15, 2017 by willa
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Antiques

Lavish dinner – Ridgway 1825

Posted on June 13, 2017 by willa
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Antiques Vintage

Beautiful Imari of an unknown maker, late 1800s

Posted on June 12, 2017 by willa
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Antiques

Sweetness in a teacup – Wileman 1893

Posted on June 11, 2017 by willa
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Vintage

Let’s go for a ride! Sadler 1940s

Posted on June 10, 2017 by willa
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Antiques

Turquoise Petunias – Wileman 1900

Posted on June 9, 2017 by willa
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Sometimes little-known potteries had excellent artists amongst their workforce, not short of great ideas, and able to make high quality, smooth and white porcelain. This trio was made by an unknown pottery in Staffordshire in about 1820, and it really is anyone's guess who made it - but it probably wasn't one of the bigger potteries. The paintwork is excellent; the flowers have been painted with imagination and artistic freedom. The design is full of interesting ideas: beautiful cobalt blue and peach, gilt, a bit of English sprigs, a French-looking abstract border and a little Chinese detail in the sprigs. The set is beautifully potted, in a pleasing shape and in high quality porcelain. Yet the whole set seems to have been decorated in more of a rush than any of the larger potteries would do; the design is, well, a little chaotic! 😵 But that's exactly why I love it - it is so charming, so handmade, and so cheerful - and in excellent condition. You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🌸🌼🌺 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #staffordshire #handpaintedflowers #peach #cobaltblue #coffeecup
The Samuel Alcock pottery is often under-estimated. They didn't mark their items very well, making them hard to identify. This resulted in Alcock items often being taken for Coalport, Daniel, Ridgway or Spode. Samuel Alcock was, like Henry Daniel, involved with Spode for many years before starting his own pottery. You can tell this by the deep colours, beautiful shapes and high quality porcelain. Where Daniel perfected the colours and hand painting, Alcock came up with innovative shapes (have a look at some of the vases I have) - but he also had some master painters who produced the highest quality. These three plates are in the beautiful "horn of plenty" shape with nicely moulded and perforated rims. The flowers are absolutely superb... a joy to own. And they have the deepest possible cobalt blue. You can find these beauties in my shop, and I am happy to offer a discount if you buy them all together - or send me a private message for more info 🌺🌼🥀 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #samuelalcock #handpaintedflowers #cobaltblue #hornofplenty
Good morning and happy Sunday everyone! This morning is so quiet and the spring is peeking into my bright living room - it is finally spring here in England. In the midst of a feeling of a country in crisis, I am enjoying the simple beauty of the Sunday morning - and of course the wonderful Belleek Neptune set (see yesterday's post), my grandmother's silver and my gorgeous Val St Lambert lamp (which I love so much, thank you @retrolivinglondon) help a bit. As do the colourful tulips. To me, the importance of beauty is that it is always there, somewhere, somehow - no matter what else is going on. I hope your Sunday is peaceful and bright, and I look forward to a week of new possibilities! 🕊️🐚🌸 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #belleek #sundaymorning #spring #sundaymorningsun #breakfasttable #sundaypeace #valstlambert
I have a new Belleek tea service! This one is called “Neptune”, after the classical god of water. It is of course a very Irish concept; Belleek is located in what is now Northern Ireland, right on the border with the Republic of Ireland, and their aesthetic is inspired by the local landscape of the Atlantic Ocean, the beautiful Lough Erne and grassy hills in between. And did you ever wonder why the antique Belleek porcelain feels so different from any other porcelain? Until the 1950s, it was made of the local Belleek clay, which is high in “frit” and can be made into this very thin, hard porcelain. This clay is rare and at some point it ran out (they couldn’t just dig out the whole County Fermanagh!) so production switched to the more common Cornish clay that most British porcelain is made of, and which is still plentiful. Although many of the original designs are still made, they don’t have that same amazing delicacy, and that’s why these original antique sets are so desired. This one has shells, corals and the surf as it crashes onto the beach. And to make it really special, it has a very rare sugar basin consisting of a little shell on a stand of corals; these are incredibly rare. You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🐬🐚🌊☘️ . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #ireland #northernireland #fermanagh #belleek #seashell #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #coral #teaservice
It's Friday and I have another beautiful mix and match teacup and saucer, this time in the cobalt blue/gilt/flowers style from between 1820 and 1825. We don't know who made the cup and saucer as there are very few clues and no pattern numbers, but the cup looks like it might be either Yates or Hicks & Meigh - as does the quality of the flower paintings on both items. The cup is superbly made with amazing gilt patterns of richly flowing vines and gorgeous flowers in the centre; the saucer is a bit more simple (and a lot more worn) but also has superb flowers in its centre. It is hard to imagine how many trained artists there must have been in the potteries - it would take an artist at least a decade or two to paint like this and it is safe to assume that most of the teaware of the time has been broken by now - but we are still admiring so many of these items! You can find this beauty in my shop (at a much lower price because of its unclear and mixed origin), or send me a private message for more info 💙🌸🌺💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #yates #hicksandmeigh #cobaltblue #vines #handpaintedflowers #staffordshire
Most people interested in British porcelain know the names of the various makers, and their distinct styles and quality. But there is more to it - there were some celebrated painters among the many artists working on the 19th Century porcelain treasures. Thomas Dixon was a celebrated painter specialising in flowers. He worked his entire life for Coalport, and with him worked most of his family: father, mother, sister, sons... His style is recognisable as full arrangements of very diverse flowers, tightly bound together yet beautifully free and flowing with soft, sweet colours. This wonderful plate comes from a large dessert service and it has beautiful moulded rims and a hot pink band to offset the sweetness of the flowers in the middle. The plate is in fabulous condition without crazing (which is rare for Coalport items from the 19th Century) and it is a real gem. You can find it in my shop (see link in bio) or send me a private message for more info 💗🌼💗 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #thomasdixon #coalport #pink #dessertplate #flowers #antiqueplate
SOLD - Last one! I've had quite a few of these turquoise Petunia pattern cup trios from Wileman, but this is the very last one for now. The one I have has a few more very minor defects than what you see in the pictures but that also means it comes at a reduced price 🤑 These Petunia cups from the year 1900 are very special as they are among the best Art Nouveau-inspired items by Wileman. The Art Nouveau took many of the Victorian elements but stylised them in a more abstract form and added elegant, flowing and often lanky shapes and distortions to get away from the restrictive Victorian emphasis on tradition and strength. And of course they work fabulously well with the Snowdrop shape, which looks like a flower when you look at the cup with its saucer and plate, and has the cutest (if not very practical) handle. You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💙🥀💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #victorian #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #artnouveau #wileman #wilemanshelley #wilemanfoley #petunia #turquoise
After yesterday's stunning cobalt blue and gilt plate, I have a little treasure from earlier in the 19th Century, made by Ridgway around 1825. Ridgway in particular made stunning items in the cobalt blue/gilt/hand painted flowers formula and this one is a real gem. Everything about it is lavish, but what I love most is the psychedelic wave pattern in the gilt! Whoever designed this must have had a premonition of the LSD-filled age that was to come later in the 20th Century and I have to smile every time I see this cup. If ever anyone thought that 19th Century design is oldfashioned, think again because this is a great example of the boldness and artistic freedom that you can find in British porcelain of that era. You can find this little gem in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💙💛💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #ridgway #waves #bolddesign #britishdesign #19thcentury
As I continue unpacking the huge collection of beautiful Coalport plates I was lucky to receive a while ago, I found a plate from the same series as the bright apple green dish I showed last week. This pattern was made exclusively for Thomas Goode, a famous department store that still exists in St James, but this plate doesn't mention that - nor the Leadless Glaze reference. So this was probably from just before the 1898 boycott of ceramics that were glazed with leaded glaze. This plate is wonderful in so many ways: the very white, sturdy but light porcelain, the bold pattern, the beautiful gilt, the deep cobalt blue, and the very sweet flowers that were transfer printed in outline and then coloured in by hand - saving Coalport the salaries of fully accomplished painters as this could be done by apprentices. This plate is in mint condition and not crazed - which is really rare for Coalport items of that era! You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💙💛💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #coalport #dessertplate #cobaltblue #gilded #thomasgoode #19thcentury
Happy Sunday! And here is another stunning dessert service. This was made in 1894 by Minton and painted by the Irish painter Anton Connelly, who was apprenticed at Minton in the 1880s and then painted flowers for many years. If you scroll through to the last picture, you will see how he signed each plate - he hid his name under one of the flower stems. These plates are made of the finest, whitest and lightest white and very translucent porcelain, and each chrysanthemum painting is stunning and entirely individual. And have a look at the raised gilding... like the Japanese teacup the other day, this was very difficult to do and it has been done expertly. Minton had some of the best gilders among their decorators, many either poached from or trained by the French Sevres pottery. This service is in almost perfect condition with no wear, which is rare to find! You can find it in my shop, or send me a private message for more info - and enjoy the flower feast! 🌸🌼🌺 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #minton #antonconnelly #chrysanthemums #victorian #raisedgilding
Happy Sunday! And here is another stunning dessert service. This was made in 1894 by Minton and painted by the Irish painter Anton Connelly, who was apprenticed at Minton in the 1880s and then painted flowers for many years. If you scroll through to the last picture, you will see how he signed each plate - he hid his name under one of the flower stems. These plates are made of the finest, whitest, lightest and very translucent porcelain, and each chrysanthemum painting is stunning and entirely individual. And have a look at the raised gilding... like the Japanese teacup the other day, this was very difficult to do and it has been done expertly. Minton had some of the best gilders among their decorators, many either poached from or trained by the French Sevres pottery. This service is in almost perfect condition with no wear, which is rare to find! You can find it in my shop, or send me a private message for more info - and enjoy the flower feast! 🌸🌼🌺 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #minton #antonconnelly #chrysanthemums #victorian #raisedgilding
I don't often have 20th Century items but this cake stand made by Shelley in 1935 is an exception. It is beautifully made in heavy porcelain with a stylish print of apples and grapes and it is a perfect size for the average home made cake. Does Mum need a cake stand? One that is easy to combine with modern as well as antique items, is stable and sturdy, and very stylish? There is still plenty of time to ship for Mother's Day in the UK... you can find this one is the shop, or send me a private message for more info 🎂🍰 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #mothersday #mothersdaygift #shelley #cakestand #cake
Today I have another wonderful mix and match tea set from about 1825, made by two different Staffordshire potters (or perhaps the same?). The patterns are very similar but slightly different - both have adorable rose sprays floating on the pristinely white porcelain, but on the cup, the roses float on little gilt clouds while on the saucer they float freely. Both cup and saucer are in the famous "Old English fluted" style, which was very popular in the mid-1820s. I like this style as it is perfect for those with bigger hands, with the sturdy large handle and solid feel of the thick porcelain. While quite simple, the roses are all painted beautifully in the famous William Billingsley style with depth and artistic freedom. And as Mothers Day is coming up in the UK, perhaps this is your perfect gift? As the set is a mix-and-match, it comes at a much lower price than usually so it is a great opportunity if you are looking for a gift that doesn't break the bank, or are a beginning collector. You can find this cute set in my shop, or send me a direct message for more info 🌸💛🌸 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #roses #mixandmatch #vintageteacup #oldenglishfluted #staffordshireporcelain #rosesprays
The design you see on this wonderful Wileman quartet doesn't have an official name - it was put into the pattern book with only a number but no name. I call it "Imari Buttercup" and I think it is one of Wileman's most interesting designs. It combines the renewed fashion for Japanese-inspired Imari designs with a very humble little English flower: the buttercup, which you can find in any grassy field anywhere all summer. What is also interesting is that traditionally, the cobalt blue was usually applied under the glaze, and then the red patterns used to be painted on top of that. Here, the red pattern of intricate buttercup sprigs was printed on the raw porcelain, then the item was glazed, and then the cobalt blue was applied on to of that, creating a nice sense of layers. Are you in the UK and looking for a stunning Mothers Day gift? There is still plenty of time to ship... you can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💙🥀💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #victorian #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #imari #buttercups #mothersday #mothersdaygift #wilemanshelley #wilemanfoley #wileman
I have a new one! When I showed this Bodley teacup trio with birds in the Japonesque style of the 1880s, there was a lot of interest and the birds flew away very quickly. I now have a new one... and because I love the pictures I made last autumn, with leaves and berries from the park in front of my house, I am using them again. However, the cup I have available now is even better quality with less wear - check it out in my shop. This set is made by "tooling" the gilt, an ancient Japanese technique that is very difficult and has been used beautifully here to create an Oriental effect. If you look well at the trees, you will see that they are Japanese too, and not the usual leafy indigenous British trees that you see on porcelain painting. The Oriental fashion (also called Japonism) was part of the Aesthetic Movement in the 1870s and 1880s and was part rebellion against the meaningless opulence of Victorian style, part fascination with the new world that opened up once Japan began trading with the West again and many treasures came this way. You can find these birdybirds in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🐦🇯🇵⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #gentlerattleofchina #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #aestheticmovement #japonism #japanesedesign #tooledgilt #birds #oriental #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #bodley #mothersdaygift #mothersday⁣
It is a stormy day here in Britain - both in terms of the weather and politically while the future of our country is being decided on this evening. So we need some tea! And with so much political divide rumbling in the background, let's have both a teacup and a coffee cup so there's something for everyone to enjoy! This trio was made by Spode in about 1828 and you can see the legacy of Henry Daniel in the beautiful artwork even though he had by then left Spode and started his own pottery. The deep periwinkle purple ground colour is unique and was difficult to make, and the decoration consists of expertly tooled gilt. Both these skills were Henry Daniel's contribution to the Spode factory; although he took many of the decorators with him when he set up his own factory, the tradition and skills remained at Spode for years to come. This little trio is wonderful to use - the handles may look awkward but actually are very pleasant to use even for those with big fingers (like myself!). You can find this sweetheart in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💜💛💜 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #spode #henrydaniel #tooledgilt #brexit #storm
Today I have a very rare and special dish. It was made by the Liverpool pottery Herculaneum in about 1810. It is in an oval cruciform shape with a nice ochre rim and beautiful blue transfer printed images. These images were copied from the famous Kirk etchings from 1804 - the same that Spode used. These in turn copied the images on a series of Etruscan vases that had been bought by the British Museum. You can see Hades tearing Persephone from the arms of her mother Demeter, then spiriting her away in his chariot (she looks quite content after her initial distress, wearing a wreath and probably feeling quite smug in that beautiful chariot). Another image shows someone battling two griffins in from his chariot - there is a Greek myth that these griffins defended the gold mines near the river Arimaspias - and this myth is thought to be inspired by the fossilised beaked dinosaurs that were found in that area! So there's so much to see on this beautiful dish, that has been around for more than 200 years. You can find it in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🐎💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #blueandwhite #transferware #kirkpattern #greekpattern #persephone #hades #chariot #griffin #herculaneum
SOLD - It is Sunday and I thought it is time for another stunning dessert service... with spring coming up, we need some beautiful tableware for our sunlit Sunday brunches - not to forget Easter brunch! This service was most probably made by Brownfield in the 1880s - I can't prove it but found some very similar examples so this is the maker I settled on. If there are any experts out there who can prove me wrong, please let me know! This service beautifully imitates some of the more famous makers: a duck egg blue Minton-like rim, Royal Worcester-like jewelling, a Coalport-like foot for the high comport, and of course wonderful flower studies, each one unique and very realistic. These are all flowers that grow in any English garden so it is fun to try and identify them all: rose, tiger lily, ranunculus, honeysuckle and so many more. There are 16 plates, 2 low comports and a high comport, so you can serve a lot of wonderful dessert or cake on this! The service is in excellent condition with just some light wear and one professional repair. And because the maker is not 100% clear, the price is more affordable than some of my other sets. You can find it in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🌺🌹🌸 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #sundaybrunch #easterbrunch #brownfield #handpaintedflowers #dessertservice
If you were an orphan, wouldn't you get lonely sometimes? And wouldn't you be thrilled to meet a fellow orphan down the table and fall in love? This is what happened to a bunch of things I recently received, and I will be showing one happy match between orphans each Friday for the next period. Today a wonderful set of a teacup and saucer, both made around 1820 with a very similar Imari pattern. This style was of course very popular at the time. I really don't know who made each item, they are hard to identify - but both are made beautifully and the teacup has hardly any wear at all, glowing in its original splendour. The saucer has a little more wear - but it's a sign that it has been used lovingly for many years. And because these items are a later-life match, they come at a lower price than usual - so remember it's going to be Mother's Day in the UK very soon! You can find this happy couple in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 💞💑 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #happycouple #orphan #imari #happymatch #teacupmarriage #mixandmatch
Let the spring come in! While over here everyone is trying to get rid of the last coughs of winter, and down under you look forward to some welcome rain and wind, and in the US you just wish it was the end of snow and tornadoes, this beautiful Wileman quartet catches the first of some spring-like sun. This shape is called "Albert", after Queen Victoria's beloved husband who died at a young age, leaving her mourning the rest of her long life. It was made in 1889 and you can see the neo-Gothic fashion in the intriguing cup handle, which reminds you of dark little churches and medieval decorations - or perhaps Gothically inspired horror movies! The pattern is a cheerful and humble thistle, and if you swipe through to the last picture you see what a wild thistle looks like in the Peak District, not far from the Staffordshire area where so much of British porcelain was designed (I took the picture on one of my summer walks there). Wileman piggy banked on the Aesthetic Movement by depicting designs of humble weeds and wildflowers in a one-dimensional way (or "flat", as the designers of the era called it), creating fresh and strong images that are immediately recognisable and highly decorative. You can find this beauty in my shop (and remember it's going to be Mother's Day in the UK very soon!), or send me a private message for more info 💙⛪💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #victorian #mothersday #antiqueporcelain #aestheticmovement #victoriaandalbert #albert #princealbert #thistle #gothic #neogothic

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About

"The sound of the gentle rattle of china cup on china saucer drives away all demons, a little-known fact.” – Terry Pratchett

I have always loved beautiful things. I also love to find out about their history and what they tell us about who and where we are now.

It started early, when my grandmother would often serve me tea in a different cup each time I came to visit. I would return wet and cold from my ramblings in the countryside, and she put me by the fire with her reassuring brew and tell me stories about the cup she’d chosen that day – it might have belonged to some beloved great-aunt. Or she might point to a marking in some inexplicable script, and explain that she had purchased it during the war, when chinaware was scarce and traders put their reserves up for sale. I marvelled at the intricate landscapes with willows and bridges on Barratt cups, or the delicate flowers dancing over a Wileman cup.

Fast-forward several decades, and I found myself one morning contemplating life. I had recently left a job and career that had always given me much joy and satisfaction, but that had been demanding everything from me and, after many years of ceaseless work, commuting and pressure, left me feeling burned out. I had decided to push the pause button to see what would happen.

When depositing some old clothes to my local Salvation Army shop the previous afternoon, I had seen a gorgeous teaset. It was simple and elegant and I absolutely adored it. I didn’t need a teaset and I didn’t want anything, so I went home without buying anything. But that teaset didn’t leave me - my old love for art, history and all things beautiful was kindled.

The next morning I woke up with a fully formed plan. I clearly knew that my business was the joy and passion that I rediscovered that afternoon in the Salvation Army shop. My curiosity about the history of those humble cups, my thrill about their beauty, and an enterprising streak that I had forgotten I possessed quickly had the better of me, and 48 hours later I had my shop running online. From there, I have never looked back.

At first, I opened a shop to share my love for beauty. But soon it became two shops:

VINTAGE (hosted on Etsy)

ANTIQUES (hosted on Ruby Lane)

You might be looking for a special gift for a dear friend. You might be an antique porcelain collector. Or perhaps you just want to honour that precious moment of your morning tea when you contemplate the goodness of life.

I offer small gifts, extensive teasets, or valuable pieces of fine bone china. And if you decide to buy something I provide the story with each one on a nicely printed sheet.

Enjoy your object of beauty, and let the china rattle!

Recent Posts

  • New website! February 6, 2018
  • Cabaret set from 1893 – so very desired June 22, 2017
  • English buttercups the Chinese way – Wileman 1893 June 20, 2017
  • Pristine white – Wileman Tea for Two 1889 June 17, 2017
  • Art Deco Tiger Lilies – Royal Winton 1930 June 15, 2017
  • Lavish dinner – Ridgway 1825 June 13, 2017
  • Beautiful Imari of an unknown maker, late 1800s June 12, 2017
  • Sweetness in a teacup – Wileman 1893 June 11, 2017
  • Let’s go for a ride! Sadler 1940s June 10, 2017
  • Turquoise Petunias – Wileman 1900 June 9, 2017
  • Shelley Blue Syringa – demitasse cups from 1932 June 7, 2017
  • Dolly Varden in blue – Wileman, 1887 June 6, 2017
  • The grace of post-war bell-shaped teacups – Paragon 1960s June 5, 2017
  • Too much on your plate? H&R Daniel ca 1825 June 4, 2017
  • Blue Rock Shelley demitasse set June 3, 2017
  • Odd colours can turn out amazing – H&R Daniel ca 1825 June 1, 2017
  • How Art Deco quietly conquered sophisticated tradition – Radford 1930s May 31, 2017
  • The many ways of Imari – Wileman 1890 May 30, 2017
  • Sadler Trellis teapot – this time with maroon flower May 29, 2017
  • Henry Daniel’s roses – coffeecup from 1822 May 28, 2017
  • Warm red from Worcester – 1938 May 27, 2017
  • The cups an industrial pioneer drank from – Royal Crown Derby, 1800-1825 May 26, 2017
  • Wild Flowers from Shelley May 25, 2017
  • Pierced plate from Ridgway, ca 1850 May 24, 2017
  • More Sadler trellis – this time blue May 23, 2017
  • Mother & child – Ridgway, 1812 May 21, 2017
  • Art Deco at its best – Sadler 1930s May 19, 2017
  • The bird becomes central – Aesthetic Movement plate, 1880 May 18, 2017
  • Maroon coffeecups – Paragon, 1920s May 17, 2017
  • Beige and gold – Brown-Westhead & Moore, 1864 May 16, 2017
  • Same shape, new era – Paragon 1940s May 14, 2017
  • Magnolias from Minton – 1830 May 13, 2017
  • Freesias from Sadler, 1930s May 12, 2017
  • The many imari patterns of Wileman – 1899 May 11, 2017
  • For those who are in autumn – Sadler 1950s May 10, 2017
  • Orange, rust, pumpkin – Wileman 1901 May 9, 2017
  • A new member of the Arcopal family! May 8, 2017
  • Spectacular tea time – Wileman 1893 May 7, 2017
  • Never tired of blue and white – Sadler brigadoon teapot 1970s May 6, 2017
  • How many birds can you get onto a teacup? Royal Worcester, ca 1868 May 5, 2017
  • More teapots – Sadler, 1940s May 4, 2017
  • Elegant Victorian – Samuel Johnson, 1890s May 2, 2017
  • Arcopal in many shades – 1960s May 1, 2017
  • Daisies on daisies – Wileman teacups from 1890 April 30, 2017
  • Beautiful Aynsley with plums and forest fruit – 1940s April 29, 2017
  • Teacups with a story – made in the Foley Works ca 1900 April 28, 2017
  • Acacia blossoms – Shelley Art Deco April 27, 2017
  • Making a cameo – Wileman 1896 April 26, 2017
  • Bands and Lines – Shelley 1933 April 25, 2017
  • This will make you blush – Wileman 1893 April 24, 2017
  • Wonderful Trellis from Sadler, 1950s April 23, 2017
  • Stunning Belleek Tridacna, 1891-1926 April 22, 2017
  • Royal Albert is not always Old Country Roses! April 21, 2017
  • Daisies, daisies – Wileman 1890 April 20, 2017
  • Art Deco with Fuchsias – Wetley China 1930s April 19, 2017
  • Using your antiques? of course! Davenport tea & coffee set, ca 1830 April 18, 2017
  • Bring in the butterflies – Grosvener China Art Deco, 1920s April 17, 2017
  • Coffee from the Rococo Revival – Samuel Alcock, ca 1835 April 16, 2017
  • Dancing muses for Easter – Shelley, 1924 April 15, 2017
  • Wonderful green – H&R Daniel, ca 1840 April 14, 2017
  • Blue Syringa flowers – Shelley 1938 April 13, 2017
  • Antique ferns for the Empress – Wileman 1893 April 11, 2017
  • Another beautiful Art Deco cup – Paragon ca 1920 April 10, 2017
  • Spring Romance – Wileman 1895 April 9, 2017
  • Adorable demitasse coffee set, Shelley April 8, 2017
  • Delicate Victorian lilac, 1880s April 7, 2017
  • Art Deco beauty – Carlton China ca 1930 April 6, 2017
  • Gorgeous Japanese pattern – Shelley 1912 April 5, 2017
  • French grace in a teacup – Arcopal, 1960s April 4, 2017
  • A sweet little coffee for the Monday morning – Wileman demitasse, 1880s April 3, 2017
  • Have some plums! Shieling teacup, 1950s April 2, 2017
  • Magnificent Irish grace – Belleek, turn of the Century April 1, 2017
  • From gilt to sunny orange – Shelley Art Deco 1940 March 31, 2017
  • Gilt splendour – Ridgway ca 1813 March 30, 2017
  • More small coffeecups! Shelley Art Deco, 1933 March 28, 2017
  • Japanese Grove demitasse cup, ca 1880 March 27, 2017
  • A wonderful vintage Imari tea set for 4 – 1920s March 26, 2017
  • True Victorian style – Royal Crown Derby cups from 1898 March 25, 2017
  • It’s time for dinner parties! Adderley plates, 1960s March 24, 2017
  • A very sweet coffee set – Wileman demitasse cup and milk jug from 1893 March 23, 2017
  • Let’s have strawberries! German plate, 1920s March 22, 2017
  • More spring flowers – H&R Daniel 1830 March 21, 2017
  • Coffee for the spring – Plant Tuscan, 1930s March 19, 2017
  • Wild flowers – Coalport 1825 March 18, 2017
  • Royal Albert, but not as we know it – ca 1930 March 17, 2017
  • Two cups sharing a saucer – Coalport 1815 March 16, 2017
  • A teacup that is a flower – Art Deco 1930s March 15, 2017
  • The perfect wedding gift – Wileman tea set for 6, Empire shape 1893 March 14, 2017
  • Spring! Art Deco cake plate from the 1930s March 12, 2017
  • Stunning H&R Daniel – ca 1830 March 11, 2017
  • More blue: Shelley Phlox teacups, 1933 March 10, 2017
  • And it’s all over now, baby blue – Wileman 1889 March 9, 2017
  • Wisteria and hollihocks – ca 1950 March 8, 2017
  • Lilac and mint green bliss from Wileman, 1899 March 7, 2017
  • Pinkie – a popular figure from the 1940s March 6, 2017
  • Japan in Staffordshire – 1890 March 5, 2017
  • Art Nouveau at its best March 4, 2017
  • Timeless elegance – Wedgwood Jasperware March 3, 2017
  • Tobacco without smoking – Spode 1911 March 2, 2017
  • H&R Daniel, the colour wizards, ca 1840 March 1, 2017

Instagram

Sometimes little-known potteries had excellent artists amongst their workforce, not short of great ideas, and able to make high quality, smooth and white porcelain. This trio was made by an unknown pottery in Staffordshire in about 1820, and it really is anyone's guess who made it - but it probably wasn't one of the bigger potteries. The paintwork is excellent; the flowers have been painted with imagination and artistic freedom. The design is full of interesting ideas: beautiful cobalt blue and peach, gilt, a bit of English sprigs, a French-looking abstract border and a little Chinese detail in the sprigs. The set is beautifully potted, in a pleasing shape and in high quality porcelain. Yet the whole set seems to have been decorated in more of a rush than any of the larger potteries would do; the design is, well, a little chaotic! 😵 But that's exactly why I love it - it is so charming, so handmade, and so cheerful - and in excellent condition. You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🌸🌼🌺 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #staffordshire #handpaintedflowers #peach #cobaltblue #coffeecup
The Samuel Alcock pottery is often under-estimated. They didn't mark their items very well, making them hard to identify. This resulted in Alcock items often being taken for Coalport, Daniel, Ridgway or Spode. Samuel Alcock was, like Henry Daniel, involved with Spode for many years before starting his own pottery. You can tell this by the deep colours, beautiful shapes and high quality porcelain. Where Daniel perfected the colours and hand painting, Alcock came up with innovative shapes (have a look at some of the vases I have) - but he also had some master painters who produced the highest quality. These three plates are in the beautiful "horn of plenty" shape with nicely moulded and perforated rims. The flowers are absolutely superb... a joy to own. And they have the deepest possible cobalt blue. You can find these beauties in my shop, and I am happy to offer a discount if you buy them all together - or send me a private message for more info 🌺🌼🥀 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #samuelalcock #handpaintedflowers #cobaltblue #hornofplenty
Good morning and happy Sunday everyone! This morning is so quiet and the spring is peeking into my bright living room - it is finally spring here in England. In the midst of a feeling of a country in crisis, I am enjoying the simple beauty of the Sunday morning - and of course the wonderful Belleek Neptune set (see yesterday's post), my grandmother's silver and my gorgeous Val St Lambert lamp (which I love so much, thank you @retrolivinglondon) help a bit. As do the colourful tulips. To me, the importance of beauty is that it is always there, somewhere, somehow - no matter what else is going on. I hope your Sunday is peaceful and bright, and I look forward to a week of new possibilities! 🕊️🐚🌸 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #belleek #sundaymorning #spring #sundaymorningsun #breakfasttable #sundaypeace #valstlambert
I have a new Belleek tea service! This one is called “Neptune”, after the classical god of water. It is of course a very Irish concept; Belleek is located in what is now Northern Ireland, right on the border with the Republic of Ireland, and their aesthetic is inspired by the local landscape of the Atlantic Ocean, the beautiful Lough Erne and grassy hills in between. And did you ever wonder why the antique Belleek porcelain feels so different from any other porcelain? Until the 1950s, it was made of the local Belleek clay, which is high in “frit” and can be made into this very thin, hard porcelain. This clay is rare and at some point it ran out (they couldn’t just dig out the whole County Fermanagh!) so production switched to the more common Cornish clay that most British porcelain is made of, and which is still plentiful. Although many of the original designs are still made, they don’t have that same amazing delicacy, and that’s why these original antique sets are so desired. This one has shells, corals and the surf as it crashes onto the beach. And to make it really special, it has a very rare sugar basin consisting of a little shell on a stand of corals; these are incredibly rare. You can find this beauty in my shop, or send me a private message for more info 🐬🐚🌊☘️ . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #ireland #northernireland #fermanagh #belleek #seashell #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #coral #teaservice
It's Friday and I have another beautiful mix and match teacup and saucer, this time in the cobalt blue/gilt/flowers style from between 1820 and 1825. We don't know who made the cup and saucer as there are very few clues and no pattern numbers, but the cup looks like it might be either Yates or Hicks & Meigh - as does the quality of the flower paintings on both items. The cup is superbly made with amazing gilt patterns of richly flowing vines and gorgeous flowers in the centre; the saucer is a bit more simple (and a lot more worn) but also has superb flowers in its centre. It is hard to imagine how many trained artists there must have been in the potteries - it would take an artist at least a decade or two to paint like this and it is safe to assume that most of the teaware of the time has been broken by now - but we are still admiring so many of these items! You can find this beauty in my shop (at a much lower price because of its unclear and mixed origin), or send me a private message for more info 💙🌸🌺💙 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #vintagetea #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #porcelaincups #teacuplover #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #regency #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #yates #hicksandmeigh #cobaltblue #vines #handpaintedflowers #staffordshire
Most people interested in British porcelain know the names of the various makers, and their distinct styles and quality. But there is more to it - there were some celebrated painters among the many artists working on the 19th Century porcelain treasures. Thomas Dixon was a celebrated painter specialising in flowers. He worked his entire life for Coalport, and with him worked most of his family: father, mother, sister, sons... His style is recognisable as full arrangements of very diverse flowers, tightly bound together yet beautifully free and flowing with soft, sweet colours. This wonderful plate comes from a large dessert service and it has beautiful moulded rims and a hot pink band to offset the sweetness of the flowers in the middle. The plate is in fabulous condition without crazing (which is rare for Coalport items from the 19th Century) and it is a real gem. You can find it in my shop (see link in bio) or send me a private message for more info 💗🌼💗 . . #gentlerattleofchina #rattlethecups #hightea #highteaparty #vintageteaparty #antique #antiques #antiqueshop #englishantiques #finebonechina #porcelain #porcelaincup #teacupcollector #interiordesign #finechina #interiordesigner #decorativeantiques #antique_r_us #antiqueporcelain #dinnerparty #desserttable #dessertporn #onetofollow #dinnerforone #thomasdixon #coalport #pink #dessertplate #flowers #antiqueplate

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