I was entranced with the color of this Cartwright & Edwards teacup I found at one of my favorite shops the other day! Read on to see why – let’s start with today’s Instagram post.
Teacup Tuesday 25 February 2020
Happy Teacup Tuesday! No the light’s not weird in this picture – our teacup really IS that soft soft shade of green! Isn’t that beautiful? Teacups usually inspire me to decorate, but this time, it’s something completely other. Come on over to the blog and check it out! Tap @mantelandtable then the blue link, or visit MANTELandTABLE.com.
Extra Cartwright & Edwards Teacup Tidbits
The softness of the green and pink on this lovely teacup reminds me of a book I used to read. I think I checked it out of the library regularly in both late grade school and junior high. It was called The Pink Dress, and the color of the book jacket was exactly this very soft green color!
About that same time, I also got some fabric that I loved. It was this same green with delicate pink flowers on it. I always wanted a dress out of it, but I don’t think I ever made anything with it. (In fact, it might be up in the attic in the box of fabric scraps I’ve hauled around forever!)
So the adult version of my tween self sees this cup and imagines a beautiful dress. A floaty summer dress, not pink, but made with silk patterned after our teacup! It would have a fitted bodice, a full skirt, and off the shoulder straps.
Have you ever had one of those skirts that flutters out when you twirl? That would be my Cartwright & Edwards-inspired dancing dress! Makes me want to go out and do some pirouettes right now!
Manufacturer’s Info
It took me a while to figure out the manufacturer of this one. I thought it would be Victoria since that’s what it says on top. But really it’s Cartwright & Edwards, as we’re supposed to be able to tell from the little C & E under the crown.
I was talking to a friend about teacups the other day – I know you’re shocked – and we decided china makers are like wine makers. They have family names and company names, brand, classification, region, village, grape, and blend names, and sometimes it’s hard to keep them all straight!
Turns out Victoria was one of Cartwright & Edwards’ trade names starting in 1912, probably because they had recently acquired the Victoria pottery works. I didn’t read if the patterns under the Victoria trade name had come from the acquisition, but that would make sense.
I found a description of this pattern as #144. (Cartwright & Edwards used a lot of numbers instead of pattern names for a while there.) I also saw the same pattern in white, and also in a smooth version – no scallops on either the teacup or the saucer. According to my research, this particular backstamp was used starting in 1936.
One of my favorite research sites is The Potteries. If you’re interested, you can go there to find out more about Cartwright & Edwards, and lots of other folks too!
Cartwright & Edwards Teacup ~ Behind The Scenes
The more I take photos, the more I’m realizing how great a place the front porch is, light-wise. So I went out there again for this session.
Dragging all the things outside in the chilly February air though, made me start coming up with a plan for a photo studio some day!
And now that I’m all inspired, I’m going to sit down with my tea in this beautiful Cartwright & Edwards cup and dream about dancing in a floaty summer dress!
Teacup Shopping
If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then click on the picture of the teacup. There are lots and lots of gorgeous cups and saucers just waiting for good homes!
And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Pin the Cartwright & Edwards Teacup For Later
Have a Lovely Teacup Tuesday!
Such a beautiful find. I really enjoy the shape and delicate pattern. Thank you for sharing!!
It WAS a good one! And I’m so happy with all the vicarious teacup shopping I got to do on your outing the other day – what did we ever do without cell phone cameras?! Thanks so much for picking them up for me! I can’t wait for you to see them here! 🙂 ❤️
Another beautiful share Barbara. As I just had my first cup of coffee this morning, I wish I had tea instead!
Ha! Thanks Densise – and good morning! ❤️❤️❤️