Vintage Christmas tea and toast sets

In May of 2012, I was on my way home from a delightful meet-up with some tea friends in Asheville, N.C. when I stopped by the Lavonia Antique Mall. There I found a vintage Christmas sugar and creamer set for just $5. Recently, I came across that same set on eBay for $1,500 (!), which set me to thinking about other pieces that might be available. To my delight, I have now acquired four tea and toast sets in this iridescent pattern featuring red berries and holly leaves!

I collect tea and toast sets anyway, but I didn't have any in a Christmas pattern. These sets have no markings on them, but based on others I've seen they were apparently made by Ucagco in Japan. I've seen individual footed teacups and saucers (very reasonable) as well as dessert plates, assorted serving dishes and a pedestal plate. (There are also plenty of sugar and creamer sets like mine for under $10.)

I used to think I didn't care for iridescent teawares, but now I've learned it totally depends on the pattern (and my mood).

This is such a classic pattern, and I never tire of seeing holly and berry *anything* at Christmas.

Now, I'm just quite sure there must be a matching teapot out there, so maybe by next Christmas I can add that to the collection. And a final note to collectors who may have happened upon this post: I'd be quite willing to sell my sugar and creamer for the bargain price of just $1,000, so please feel free to ask. (Ha!)