Hello All!
Welcome to Tea Cup Tuesday!
Backstamps are a fascinating part of collecting tea cups.
It has taken me a while to figure out how these labels are read and how to research them.
And I still make mistakes! lol!
And I still make mistakes! lol!
My favorite place to start is in
if the cup is from England. If It is a European cup,
I look for the manufacturer's history on the Internet.
Some backstamps are incised, impressed, printed or painted...
rare are some marks that were created separately
and then applied to the bottom of the piece.
and then applied to the bottom of the piece.
I have only personally seen Incised, Impressed, Printed and Painted.
I have never seen an Applied Molded Mark.
Have any of you?
Have any of you?
This week for a backstamp example, I am beginning with the simplest...
Today's cup is a pretty vintage one.
She has a fall themed floral spray on the front...
(as seen above)
(as seen above)
On her back side, there is a similar themed sprig of flowers....
When we look at her backstamp, we see she was made in England,
and we even see a pattern number 7208...,
and an artist mark (little gold sideways 3)
and that she is bone china ...
and we even see a pattern number 7208...,
and an artist mark (little gold sideways 3)
and that she is bone china ...
but what we don't see, is a backstamp that shows the manufacturers name!
There are a few backstamps without names, but they use a consistent symbol to identify their wares.
(couldn't fine a better example, sorry!)
Without the name of the manufacturer or even a symbol like a crown or other symbol,
it is very hard to look her up.
There are a few backstamps without names, but they use a consistent symbol to identify their wares.
Without the name of the manufacturer or even a symbol like a crown or other symbol,
it is very hard to look her up.
So why would the company's name not be on the cup???
I did a quick Internet search with the exact numbers and words on the stamp above,
but as I feared, no information was found.
I did a quick Internet search with the exact numbers and words on the stamp above,
but as I feared, no information was found.
It is possible that this cup was mass marketed cheaply and therefore not designated.
Lol...like a No Name or Generic brand!
Whatever her origin, she is a pretty cup and a good one for fall....
ooooh, maybe some chai tea?
Saturday is the very first day of fall 2012!!!
I have a basket full of fresh Macintosh Apples that smell divine!
Are you ready? : )
Next week we'll look at Incised and Impressed backstamps...
Hugs,
Terri
28 comments:
That's a unique teacup, Terri.
Thank you for hosting this wonderful linky party!
Happy Tea Tuesday!!
Dear Terri, you have anticipated a kind of post I'm going to publish, especially for the benefit of those who, like me, is at the beginning of his studies ... Here in Italy, especially, tea and rituals are practiced little (we are "a coffee at the bar"!), And I think it will be very interesting to do a bit of "evangelizing" about cups, porcelain, and all the apparatus for tea :-)
As you know, since I own the Encyclopedia, I spent a lot of time trying to date and identify my cups (I'm at a good point) but I also have a few examples of where there is only the number ... I also thought that it must be shipped, at the time, as very cheesy and cheap, no one has bothered to mark them :-(
Besides, I have a few cups with only the word generic "GENUINE BONE CHINA ENGLISH", no number ... Another snag!
Although I have spent the Encyclopedia pages looking for some image enlightening, and still pitch dark!
Yes, Saturday is the first day of autumn: hopefully good ...
Mini hugs
Flora
Fascinating info, lovely photos....so much fun! Thank you for hosting, Terri! Have a great week. :)
Shawn
Hi Terri,
This kind of information is always very useful for tea cup collectors.
It's the part that interests me most, the origin of the pieces, maker, period, in short, social history!
And your tea cup this week is beautiful to announce the Fall season.
As to the lack of maker's mark, I think that sometimes, when they were part of a set, only the serving pieces - teapot,sugar bowl, creamer - would bear a mark.
It could be the case here...
Have a great week!
Hugs
Terri, thanks for this information which makes for a very interesting tea cup and post. In Australia, we celebrate the start of our seasons on the 1st of the month. None-the-less, Spring Equinox is still a special event. Happy Fall Day to you.
Hi Terri,
the origin of some unmarked china is a hidden secret. Always interesting to search on it and if successful, a real fun. I think there are some possibilities why this cup is not marked. I don't think its mass production. Then they wouldn't paint the gold rim by hand and add a painters mark. So maybe the cup was made in order of a sale company from an well known producer, who did not want to be named. Many other explanations are possible as well. Anyway, the tea cup is pretty designed and lovely for a tea in this season. Thank you for sharing, for all the interesting informations and for hosting this interesting event.
Best greetings, Johanna
P.S.: I hope, Martha is well.
Hello Terri!
Thanks for hosting,and thanks for this interesting post, I'm just learning about backstamps.
Your teacup is lovely.
Besos from Argentina, Silvina
I have some pretty teacups just because I like the design factor, I mostly drink coffee! I am trying to acquire the tea taste!
Thanks for this valuable information...I'll have to look at mine, it is very interesting!
Happy Tuesday!
Pretty little teacup, Terri. Love the fall leaves. Thanks for the backstamp lesson. Happy Tea Day and thank you for hosting!
Thanks for that info, Terri. I felt an immediate need to turn over all my teacups and have a look! Love seeing your marvelous teacup selection every Tuesday!
Good morning Terri,
That is a pretty little teacup. I always check the stamp but I don't have your encyclopedia. I have to rely upon the 'Net for my info. I'm thankful to have that, and most of the time, I can find what I'm looking for. Your post was very informative today. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.
Blessings,
Sandi
Love your teacup and thank you for all the information! I've always bought my teacups for the pretty look they have and now I find I have another hobby finding the history of the cups. Looking forward to your next post! Thanks for hosting this week!
Nancy
Hi Terri. It is a pain sometimes! Often, they just had the generic backstamps because they were made by a small potter, made for another business or more frequently, the plain names were used on seconds china. The number isn't always the pattern...sometimes it's a gilder or decorators number, and sometimes a mold number. Depends on the individual pottery. It certainly can be confusing!!! Thanks for hosting. Have a great day!
Ruth
Hi Terri!
I just remembered that today was tea cup tuesday, and I thought I'd link up my crochet tea cup from yesterday's post.
Have yourself a great day!
Ciao bella
Creative Carmelina
Hi Terri,
What a beautiful teacup! Thanks for sharing all your interesting info! Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Lisa
I look forward to your posts on tea cup marks.
Such a lovely tribute to the season Terri...
Your teaset has all the perfect colours... Welcome Autumn !!!.... and I love all the historical tidbits... even if some are missing ( ha Ha)...It just makes the cup and teatime all the more interesting doesn't it ... Hugs
Thnaks for the info, Terri, very interesting. Your cup, generic or not, is very pretty....Christine
Hello Terri, it really is fascinating to think of all the workmanship that goes into the artwork of teacups - there are so very many backstamps - so very many companies - I do love learning more - perhaps I'll see if there's a book I can get my hands on - your teacup is gorgeous - as always - I do appreciate you sharing and hosting,
God Bless,
Kathy
Hi Terri- I so enjoy reading your teacup Tuesday posts along with your beautifully photographed cups. Your information is so helpful. Now I need to start researching some of mine :)
Very pretty teacup Terri! Thank you for all of the info. I always look up for this info on the web. Sometimes I get an answer. Thanks for hosting!
Sherry
She is just as sweet as can be anyways!
Thank you for stopping by my blog, leaving a kind comment and becoming my follower...I greatly appreciate it :) I am now your newest follower.
Blesssings to you,
Stephanie
What a beautiful dainty cup..such a soft color palette too..so very sweet! Wishing you a fantastic day sweet friend..
Blessings
victoria
Thanks for the lesson Terri....I just haven't figured this all out yet. I used to just pick up teacups because I liked the "look"...now I'm interested in the marks. I didn't know the little gold marks meant anything.
Never too old to learn. Have a great week.
Linda
Pretty cup and saucer. Is that made from England or China?
Hey terry,
This information is always very useful teacup collectors.
This is what I am most interested in part, origin of fragment, manufacturers, period, in short, social history!
And your cup this week is beautiful autumn released.
The lack of manufacturer's mark, I think that sometimes, when they participate in setting, so only tableware, tea pot, sugar bowl, cream - will bear a mark.
It can be here...
Have a great week!
embrace
I just recently started collecting antique tea cups and happened to come across your blog.
Your article caught my eye because I have a teacup with the exact same "backstamp" - same font, same colour, same arrangement, same everything. We do not have the same teacup - mine is a different pattern and my number mark is "17".
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