Ornate 18th century Tea Cup ca. 1740 - 1770, as in museums

Being offered is a charming 18th century tea cup (tea bowl), ca. 1740 – 1770. It has a diameter of 3 ½” and is 2” high. It is decorated in a beautiful floral pattern.

In the 18th century, teacups evolved from handle-less "tea bowls" to the familiar, handled cups we know today, often made from porcelain imported from China or replicated by European manufacturers.

There are similar examples of this tea cup in the Colonial Williamsburg Museum and the Fort Ticonderoga Collection (see pictures). This cup is in excellent condition, with only a few very tiny flea bites to the rim and would make a great addition to a Colonial collection or even a softer touch to a Revolutionary War collection. They were very popular with officers and shards are often found at Revolutionary War sites.