Teahouse Treasures

"Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacups' message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together." Emilie Barnes, "A Cozy Christmas Tea"

After many years of being out of favor, at least here in the United States, tea and tea paraphernalia are now enjoying a comeback. Tea houses are springing up everywhere and with it, the interest in collecting teacups, saucers and pots. There is a cup and saucer for every collector, from bone china classics to art deco, to be viewed as a piece of art or an amusing addition to the mantle. That is probably one reason why collecting teacups has become so wide spread.

"I like cups that are bright or unusual," says Tonie Calabrese, owner of the Lavender Tea House in Sherwood, Oregon. The turn over of teacups is large and as soon as they are cracked or chipped she retires them to be made in to bird feeders by a talented friend. She agrees that teacup collecting is on the rise. "I can't afford to buy collector cups at $20 dollars a piece, not at the volume of cups I need, so I limit my search mostly to garage sales and the more inexpensive antique shops."

The Lavender Teahouse, which has been in business for about three years, has enjoyed a dramatic rise in it's gift shops sales this year, with teacups being a popular item. The people who come to the teahouse are often novice collectors. "I've even seen women spilling their tea trying to look at the bottom of the cup." Tony laughs.

Around the corner, Odge Gribble has practically lived and breathed teacups her entire life. The owner of Mainstreet Collectibles, Odge and her niece carry on the tradition began by her mother many years before." My Mom started collecting teacups way back in the thirties."

Odge's shop is filled with delicate porcelain teacups and services. Some are adorned with gold rims or strangely shaped handles. Some are tall and slender covered with flowers, others are short and squat, wide rimmed, and decorated with a fat sheaves of wheat.

"The chintz patterns are probably the most popular patterns," Odge states, showing examples of that pattern safely locked in a glass case. "They're made by various manufacturers." Chintz patterns are an all over flower pattern. Generally speaking, the smaller and finer the flowers, the older the cup.

Another trademark of many of the older cups and services is the 22 or 24 karat gold decorations on the rims or even the sides. French and Bavarian cups are known for this. In some cases the older English cups also have this feature.

Collectors vary in their interests and tastes. Some are interested in a certain pattern such as Lily of the Valley or Blue Willow. Roses are the number one floral pattern. Other collectors are interested in a commemorative cups and many are interested in certain manufacturers.

The most popular manufacturers are the English, Shelley, Johnson Brothers and Aynsley. The French manufacturer, Limoges, is also popular.

Prices vary in the world of teacups, it ranges from $8 to $10 dollars for the more common cups to $115 dollars for the older, rarer, chintz patterns. The average price for teacups is about $25

Many collectors get their start from their mothers or grandmothers who either give them their collection or begin giving them cups for special occasions. Brette McWhorter Sember, from Basom N.Y., remembers not being very happy as a child with her teacup gifts, but has a whole new appreciation for them now.

"My grandmother started giving me one Christmas teacup each year for my birthday (in December) when I was about 8 or 9. Then she added a few non-holiday ones. I hated getting them as a child, but now really appreciate having a collection that she started for me."

Brett's collection is mostly made up of Christmas cups, but she is beginning to branch out.

"I like to collect Christmas cups and try to find ones that are not red, because we decorate our house in pink, green and white for the holidays. I have recently begun to look for cups for other holidays, such as Easter, St. Patrick's Day, etc."

Shelley Franco collects teacups as well, but isn't partial to one manufacturer or pattern. " I look for the cup that speaks to me. That sounds funny I know, but it's the truth. When I see a teacup my reaction is either, "So what," or "Who cares how much it costs! It's mine!"

Most collectors get their cups from china dealers, antique stores, garage sales or flea markets. For many collectors, however, the most special cups are ones that come from special people.

"The ultimate is a teacup from an older relative. My most beautiful cups are from grandparents and family friends who collected before I did and passed them on to me upon their deaths." Shelly Franco says, "It's so wonderful to have such gorgeous reminders of their spirits."