Celebrate with a Cairo Trio
Come join me as we celebrate the end of autumn with a new tea and trio.
Today's featured teacup is a Shelley from the Cairo line. This trio is new to me, but it certainly isn't new by any means. It is one of my oldest teacup sets with production dates from 1910-1921. It's almost officially an antique.
I purchased this trio on Ruby Lane, an online antique marketplace, for the amazing price of ten dollars.
The seller did indicate it had flecks of factory dirt in the glaze. For those of you who follow me, you know that I adore Shelley teacups. The flecks of dirt didn't deter me from buying the trio.
Shelley produced a variety of teacup shapes. The teacup is in the Norman style and was named after one of Percy Shelley's sons. This teacup was used for Bestware and Seconds from 1915-1924.
I was surprised to see how visible the flecks of dirt are on the dish. Look closely, can you see the flecks? The Cairo line features an art deco design in green, purple and black which is quite an unusual palette for a teacup.
The trio features the Shelley 1912-1925 backstamp. There are some tiny gaps of pattern on the teacup which leads me to believe that this trio is secondware, but the production number doesn't indicate that.
Now, let's have some tea! At the San Francisco Tea Festival, I purchased a tin of Harney and Sons' Celebration Tea. I'm not a fan of fruit flavored or herbal tisanes, but this tea is a nice diversion. The label describes the tea as a blend of black tea with apricot, hazelnut, cinnamon and cornflowers. It's as sweet as I'll tolerate for a tea and I would serve it with dessert. It's a nice addition to any friend or family celebration.
Celebrate the last weeks of autumn! The season continues until December 20.
All the best,
Nora
I'm going to bring a cup of tea to the Pink Saturday Party and enjoy looking at some new blogs.
I'm going to bring a cup of tea to the Pink Saturday Party and enjoy looking at some new blogs.
What a great deal on the Shelley trio! It has two of my favourite colours: purple and black. I couldn't see the flecks of dirt from my computer. The Celebration tea sounds delicious. The H&S teas here are pretty limited.
ReplyDeleteNora, how lovely! I've known a lot of people who collect cups and saucers, but I've always liked to get the trios. And I'm a huge fan of snack sets. Another Shelley person you probably already know is Ruth at https://www.antiquesandteacups.info/. Like you, I am not a fan of flavored teas (except Earl Grey, with bergamot only, no flowers or other additions).
ReplyDeletePretty cup! the background you gave is very interesting. I feel as if I should know more about my dishes too.
ReplyDeleteIn Paris last week we went to an all-tea store, with bins from floor to the very high ceilings, and tea flavors of all types, as well as clever little tea infusers and other tea paraphernalia.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Your trio is so pretty, Nora, and the tea sounds like one I would enjoy. I love flavored black teas, and I like trying different ones.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty set. Little things like the tiny spots don't deter me either - I adore my teacups. Your new tea sound delicious for an autumn cup of warm happiness.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to hunt down this particular set (it's one my great grandmother had in Australia in the 1920s) and found it listed as sold from RL. Glad it seems to have gone to an appreciative home! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck in finding a set. The site Etsy also has many Shelley pieces on it. I agree that it is an unusual trio that one doesn't see often. Happy New Year!
DeleteHi This is certainly beautiful and a bargain too boot. Just a heads up the registration number for this pattern is for 1921 I think, I have 2 coffee cans and saucers and was just researching. cheers and happy new year
ReplyDelete