Antique and Vintage Teacups

The first vessels made for consuming tea were actually teabowls, which the Chinese used to drink a soup-like concoction made from a small cake of ground, roasted tea leaves. When porcelain migrated to Europe in the 18th century, tea drinkers were reluctant to place these bowls onto their expensive furniture, so they set them on shallow dishes normally reserved for pickles or sauces, hence the term “saucers.” Early saucers were deeper than...Continue Reading