Anyone for a cup of tea?

15 Jan 2010




A few weeks ago I was swooning over pretty teacups, and a couple of days ago I found my very own set in a charity shop! I often see things I like but resist buying them, but I knew this was a treasure. I dashed back home to get a couple of strong bags, and literally ran back to the shop (and almost slipped on some snow). I don't think the two old ladies in the shop could understand why I was so pleased with a second hand tea service. But it's beautiful. I adore the bold teal/petrol blue colour against the crisp white, and the flower pattern is just perfect. It's by Johnson Bros is marked as Ironstone Snowhite and the pattern is Engadine, and it was produced in England during the mid to late '70s.

The whole set only cost £8! I bought: 6 cups, 5 saucers, 6 tea plates, 1 cake plate, tea pot, milk jug & sugar bowl! I'm might buy an extra cup and saucer on ebay to make up for the missing saucer, but I don't think I'll ever have 6 people for tea anyway. There's no sign of tea staining in any of the pieces, but the jug has some crazing on the glaze. My favourite piece is the teapot and it's now on display in my kitchen. Even my husband was impressed with my purchase, and that's saying something ;)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

it's fabulous! oh how I love cute finds like that - I can only imagine how pleased you are :)

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

what a great set, and only £8?? really? I will have to start checking these thrift stores, i don't have any near where I live maybe that's the problem... Great set!

painted fish studio said...

eeeeeeeee! what a find! makes me want to leave work to go treasure hunting...

the real mia said...

These are so lovely. They are just what Alice and the Hatter would drink from in Wonderland.

LailaBeans said...

those are so cute, i loooove the designs on them. they look so...quaint...lol. lucky you!

Kelley Anne said...

Oh this really is a treasure! Its so cheerful and beautiful. The photos you took look professional, I thought that you found the pics online until I read on.

I think you're right about vintage in charity shops. I would love to work in a vintage store, but have a feeling that my checking account would suffer, rather than benefit:)

Retro Chick said...

I LOVE that!

I've yet to run across a full (or nearly full) tea set in a Charity Shop. I'm keeping my eyes peeled though...

Stephanie Sabbe said...

total score!

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