Item 5178
 
Coming to you from Doc's Crocks is this wonderful 19th Century Spongeware Handleless Cup and Saucer in a Dainty Tulip Pattern. 
 
This set features the early form with the handleless cup and the more bowl-like saucer.  In the early 19th century they poured the tea from the cup into the saucer and drank from the saucer.  Later they drank directly from the cup and added a handle. 
 
The cup is 12-sided and features red and green sponging with a sideways tulip on the front, while the saucer features a red and green border with a matching center tulip.  The cup measures 2 3/4" tall and 3 3/8" wide, and the saucer measures 1 1/4" tall and 5 1/2" wide. 
 
This pair matches perfectly and appears to have started out together nearly 200 years ago.  It is also unusual in having the earlier handleless cup form (1820) but a later transitional sponge rather than spatter decoration (1830). 
 
Excellent Condition.  Both cup and saucer are as made.  
 
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