Hello teacup lovers – today I’d like to introduce you to this darling teacup with the beautiful baby blue bows!
Isn’t it adorable? It was a gift from the same sweet cousin who gave me my lovely gold teacup, which you can read about in the LUXURIOUS GOLD TEACUP ON A BEAUTIFUL SNOWY DAY post.
It’s not quite a demitasse, but still on the small side for a teacup and saucer set. Very delicate and petite! I’d love to use it for a younger tea time visitor.
This Darling Teacup Inspires a Sunny Spring Baby Shower
I just love the baby blue bows on this darling teacup! I thought right away of a spring garden baby shower on a sunny day. Wouldn’t it be fun to decorate in these colors? Baby blue satin bows and pink flowers draping from the top of a lovely white pergola. Cozy white rattan chairs with gold and white seat cushions and baby blue pillows. And pink voile curtains floating in the breeze. Ah I can see it all now!
And let’s just say we could find a whole set of these cups and saucers – what a beautiful display on the tea table! Wouldn’t it be fun to sip some pretty pink tea from these lovely cups, and watch the future Mama opening her gifts? (Wrapped in soft white of course, and tied with baby blue, pink, and gold ribbons!)
Manufacturing Info
If you’ve been here a while, you know that I love finding out the history of my teacups. (Just as much as I love using them as inspiration for decorating or parties!)
I’m pretty excited about this teacup because unless it’s a reproduction, it’s probably the oldest cup in my collection. Based on my research, I’m thinking it’s not a reproduction, and that would make it 100 to 130 years old!
This particular backstamp is classified as “lesser known,” and it’s not one that’s commonly counterfeited or reproduced. Plus it just looks and feels really old. I hope it is!
My research started at Collector’s Weekly, with an article written about 7 years ago. This is a ‘Green Crown Mark #10,’ as listed in Joan Van Patten’s book “Van Patten’s ABC’s of Collecting Nippon.” From what I can gather, that book is the best reference for Nippon marks and pieces. She says it’s Circa 1891-1921.
Another place I looked was the International Nippon Collectors Club. The INCC says that the company Nogoya Seito Sho Ltd used this crown mark, starting in 1908. Apparently, the company was founded by Kotero Asukai, a former Noritake employee. Maybe they made our darling teacup.
As you can see, the saucer is backstamp-free, which was not unusual for imports back in the day. As long as some part of the set was marked, that was good enough.
And it’s definitely good enough for me!
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Behind the Scenes With Our Darling Teacup
This might not have been the smartest photo session I’ve ever done, but at least it wasn’t still raining! The steps were all wet though, and I got my lovely voile a bit messed up.
Plus the fact that the voile washed right up, it was worth it to be out there in the beautiful afternoon. You know how the air smells so fresh after a rain? It was that, and I was surrounded by the lovely scents of daphne and other early spring flowers.
However, wet voile was a small price to pay. And I got to be closeup and personal with my hellebores too, which seem to be doing pretty nicely this year!
Teacup Shopping
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Pin the Darling Teacup for Later
Have a Lovely Teacup Tuesday!
Barbara, your photos with the voile and the hellebore are so lovely, you truly captured the beauty of the teacup and saucer and added such a romantic look and feel to it. What history this little cup must have. I am so happy you have added it to your collection!
Hi Chloe! I know – I’d love to hear about all the things this little cup must have seen! So glad you like the photos of this latest historical era at my house! 😉 Hope you have a lovey Monday my friend!
Good Morning Barbara,
That is a beautiful designed tea cup. What a treasure to have. I love blue accent on anything and the gold trim adds a special touch.
Did you buy your Fortnum and Mason tea in England? I never see it here. I was fortunate to be able to have tea at Fortnum and Mason on a trip in the early 90’s. Wish I could go back and enjoy tea in their dining room again.
Hi – I actually got the tea as a gift from someone who travels a lot. Maybe they got it there. I’ve never seen it at my stores either, but we can get it online, so that’s good. What a fun thing to have tea at Fortnum and Mason! Such a wonderful trip that must have been! Now I’ll think of that every time I use this little teacup! 🙂
I actually remember now that Fortnum Mason tea is sold at William Sonoma but they only have a small selection of their teas.
Oh that’s good – I’ll try there! Thanks! 🙂
What TEA are you drinking?I would use this cup EVERY DAY!
IT does make a DIFFERENCE if YOUR VESSELS are pretty and exquisite!!
Hope SPRING is a popping up NORTH!
Hi! So glad you like the cup! I think the tea was a Fortnum and Mason infusion – Rose and Violet. It’s the prettiest color, and smells and tastes fabulous. Comes in a cool cannister too! Let me know what you think if you try it! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping over – see you out there in blogland!
I love this teacup Barb….Wish I had a set of them for my tea time. Love your pretty flowers too.
Hugs
Kari @ Me and My Captain
Thanks so much Kari! I was so happy to get it – it’s just so cute! 🙂 Thanks for popping over, and Happy Wednesday! (oops – it’s Thursday for you!)
That is such a cute and beautiful cup Barbara. Thank you so much for always sharing your lovely tea cups friend.
We’re getting the whole teacup collection one by one! 😉 Thanks so much for being here my friend! Have a lovely time till next time! 🙂
Many years ago I was in an antique store and spied a set of 6 cups and saucers nearly identical. I checked and my cups have the exact markings. I’ve been enjoying them and make a beautiful display. The cost was under $10! I love Nippon.
Wow – isn’t that cool? And what a great price! I’ve heard that Nippon was really popular back in the day, so there are a lot of them still floating around out there. If I find any more, I’m going to snap them up! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Kathy, and Happy Antiquing!
She’s definitely a pretty girl and your photos are beautiful!! I’m green with envy that you actually have flowers growing outside – they are beautiful too!
Hi Kim – it won’t be long now my friend! Even in the deep north of Calgary! In the meantime, I’ll share my flowers with you! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely evening!
Oh I just adore the old Nippon hand painted teacups – they are sooooooooooooooooooo delicate, aren’t they? I’d say they’re some of my favorites – yet for some odd reason they are reasonably priced.
Yours is a real beauty. Your pictures are lovely, Barbara. ♥
Thanks Michele! Yes, it’s really delicate, and the handle is so small. I thought at first I wouldn’t be able to hold onto it very well, but it’s actually a great shape and comfortable to grasp. I don’t feel like I’m going to drop it at all! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well out there and welcoming some spring!
Such a pretty tea cup. I love the blue.
Blessings to you.
Hi Renae! Isn’t that just to sweetest? I was so happy to get it! Thanks so much for popping over – hope you’re having a lovely day!
It looks wonderful for being so old. You kept it in pristine condition Barbara, a very sweet little teacup.
I know! I’d love to take credit for keeping it so nice, but it was actually a recent gift from my cousin, so I guess it was her family that took such good care of it. Either way, I’m the lucky beneficiary! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by Denise! Always love to see you!
I lovet this delicate beauty! Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Linda! You’re so welcome – teacups are so fun aren’t they? Take care and see you back here next week! 🙂