A Springtime Demitasse and Dessert

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend. As I began putting away the Easter decorations this morning, it occurred to me that we are beginning a long stretch without a significant holiday. It's time to simply enjoy and celebrate all that the season of spring has to offer. 



 Looking at the teacups I've inherited; a good portion are demitasse cups. Perhaps both of my great aunts were drawn to the cups' size. Demitasse is French for half cup. These cups are designed to serve Turkish coffee or espresso (which mine never had). From a practical standpoint as a collector, they take up less space in my curio chest. There is something sweet and delicate about them.


Today's featured teacup is a demitasse Crown Staffordshire from England in the Thousand Flowers pattern. The cup is trimmed with gold gilding and there is gold detail on the handle.

I chose this teacup to feature because the large amount of flowers in the pattern certainly seems to show a springtime scene. Many collectors describe Thousand Flowers as a chintz pattern. I don't immediately think "chintz" when I look at this pattern. Maybe I'm so used to seeing a certain style and color scheme of chintz. Please chime in... do you think this is a chintz pattern? I'm curious to know your thoughts. 


The marked back stamp indicates the cup is from 1930-1956. 
According to the site The Potteries, the back stamp is stretching the truth a bit. Crown Staffordshire Porcelain Company was not established until 1889; so why does the back stamp claim it was established in 1801? The Minerva Works with a number of pottery companies was established in 1801. Eventually these companies turned into Crown Staffordshire in 1889. Showing longevity is a key factor in porcelain sales.
After 1956 Crown Staffordshire produced its wares under the trade name Queensberry.


If you look closely at the large pink flower, you'll notice a faint slanted line running down from the rim. Looks as if the decal or transfer was a bit off. This is partly why I love vintage teacups: their tiny flaws. I love that they were more or less hand crafted. Such an amazing art form!



I want to share with you an easy yet tasty dessert I made for Easter dinner at my cousin's house. It's a coconut pineapple cake and will be a nice addition to any spring tea. It's easy to transport too.
Even though I have many cookbooks, I still look online and in magazines for different recipes. Here is the recipe from Taste of Home's website. Enjoy the week ahead!
    ~Nora






"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions."
~Chanakya

Comments

  1. Hi Nora,
    Your cake looks wonderful! The demitasse is adorable and a sweet collectible. I usually think of chintz as being a smaller overall floral pattern but of course this might be thought of a chintz as well. In any case, it is sweet. Thanks for joining me for tea and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. I have the exact same tea cup as you are sharing today. It is shown on my Welcome Spring 2015 post. I too thought it was the perfect cup to use for Spring. It is so pretty. Mine is a full size tea cup. The only difference is a little bit more white showing on mine. And mine has a pink rose in the center of the saucer. I don't know much about the history of the tea cups. I should try and learn more. Your dessert looks scrumptious! Have a great week.

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  3. Hello there:
    I think of chintz as being fully covered Nora and I would think - yes! I actually am very familiar with this pattern as I have sold a teapot, cream and sugar and teacups/saucers in this pattern. Infact, I saw a cup and saucer yesterday while out antiquing. This is posting was really fun!

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  4. Hi Nora,
    I don't think of your teacup as a chintz pattern, but I love it for Spring! It's such a pretty, feminine pattern. Your cake looks so good. I checked the link and I've made that cake many times. A friend gave me the recipe back in the 1970's, but her recipe was called Swedish Nut Cake. I've since seen it called by other names. It's sooo good and moist! I hope you had a Happy Easter.

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  5. Such a cheerful and colorful cup for spring. I remember my mom's friend making a cake similar to this and it was moist and delicious.

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  6. Love the vibrant colours of your pretty cup--they definitely scream "SPRING!".

    Like Sandi, I associated chintz with smaller floral patterns. I'm curious to see what criteria others use to determine what is a chintz pattern...

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  7. Hi Nora: I don't think your cup is Chintz, but that does not take away from how pretty it is. Love the vivid colors. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha

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  8. Pretty teacup!!! And yes, it is time to celebrate and ENJOY spring!

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  9. Hi Nora,
    I love your pretty demitasse. I actually have a teacup and tea plate in the same pattern. It does look like chintz. Your dessert looks delish too! Happy Tea Day Friend! Karen

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  10. Hi Nora,
    I love your pretty demitasse. I actually have a teacup and tea plate in the same pattern. It does look like chintz. Your dessert looks delish too! Happy Tea Day Friend! Karen

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  11. I would call it a chintz. rown Staffs made wonderful china items...one of my favorite potters! Your dessert looks wonderful! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    ruth

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  12. Hi Nora, it will be fun to follow you and see the history of your tea cups. I love my tea also. That cake looks out of this world. I will have to make it. Please follow me back and get to know me also. LJ

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  13. The cake recipe was delicious! I loved the nuts, and who doesn't love cream cheese frosting? Your teacup is very cute too. I like the floral patterns, they remind me of spring.

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Thank you for visiting today and taking the time to write a comment. Both are much appreciated.
Nora