Something has occurred to me about my teacup collection that I should have realized a lot sooner: my favorite ones all have memories attached. This beautiful English bone china set from Royal Dover was a surprise gift from the Williamses, the lovely couple who were my landlords for about 17 years before I got married. I rented their wonderful little cottage that shared a driveway with them, and they took care of all home maintenance, grass cutting, held my mail when I went on vacation — they were such blessings to me in my single years! One day, Mrs. Williams knocked on the door. Since they were occasionally in the house replacing air filters and such, she had noticed my collection of teawares. She said she was cleaning out and thought this teacup looked like something I would like.
She was wrong. I didn't like it, I *loved* it! The shape, the roses, the pretty peach-pink background color. I still think it's one of the prettiest teacups I own.
Even the saucer appeals to me because of the large, lush rose on one side, the smaller ones on another. I've been toying with the idea of renting space at a local antique mall to handle some of my teaware overflow (and let's be honest: to allow me the space in my house to shop for more!). As I looked around the house, I realized that I rarely am attached to something I bought for myself, but the teawares I received from others? Priceless! How about you? Do your favorite teacups have memories attached?
What a beauty, and precious memory for you. I feel the same way, as so many of my tea cups and tea pots have been gifted to me over the years, and some from people no longer with us so they are extra special. My late hubby knew my love of them and when I pull one of those down I feel like he is with me in a small way.
ReplyDeleteEvery teacup has a story.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is beautiful, and yes, it's the memories that make our things the most valuable to us.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! Beautiful teacup and memory. One of my favorite teacups is one that I bought and when I got it home i noticed the saucer had been repaired (no wonder the price was so good). It was obvious that this cup and saucer had been loved by someone ... the repair so good that it is hardly noticeable. I often wonder what stories this set could tell me --- besides love -- which is probably the important one. My god-children gave me my favorite teacup-- full of history from their family (Asian travels) and dragons and "rice" porcelain. My next favorite: singing cups from China from a close friend. You got me long winded today!
ReplyDeleteDear Angela,
ReplyDeleteThat is a sweet memory. It is such a lovely cup too. She knew it would be appreciated.
You are right-those gifted to us are more special.
Happy day to you, Ruthie
I love the picture of the Brown Betty Teapot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting it on your website.
Irene Martin
That is one of the prettiest teacups I have seen! I would love to be able to shop at your booth!
ReplyDeleteFirst, love the memory and seeing this beautiful teacup.
ReplyDeleteMost of my teaware I bought, but I going to a teacup exchange in March and picked out one teacup to give. Then I realized I could give it away because I bought in Wisconsin at a little antique shop and a friend bought the same one on the same day in this shop, but we didn't know it until I shared on my blog. Oh those little memories. I agree with Linda, "Every teacup has a story" It certainly is true.
I am the exact same way. Anything that I really love has a story attached.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful memory. Wish I could have seen your cottage. I know it was adorable, too.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of my teacups were gifts and they are special for that reason, and remind me of the people and circumstances for which I received them.
ReplyDeleteI too have so many teacups that I can not part with and I always treasure getting more with special meaning.....then there are the ones I bought, because I could not pass them up. Like you I have tea overflow, and need an outlet. I have been trading my local tearoom two of mine for one of theirs. I can visit my cups and pots and take home a new treasure at the same time.
ReplyDeleteLovely teacup and lovely memory! I don't have a lot of teacups that were gifts to me, but I treasure the ones bought while traveling. The trip is relived by the teacup. I've never rented a booth at an antique mall to sell my "overflow," but I've have many garage sales over the years and have always done quite well.
ReplyDeleteI have that cup !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful landlords, a beautiful cup and memory! Almost my first cup was a gift from my sisters, for one of those ?-0 birthdays. The most recent has the story of being a wonderful win from - you! I count it as a gift and memory, also, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a lovely teacup and yes, the memories of the giver are what make it even more special.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful teacup and such nice memories. It's amazing how we can remember where every teacup and saucer came from.
ReplyDeleteJoanie