{HISTORY}

Coffee time has never been prettier when it comes to serving shots of espresso in these  floral cups and saucers made by Johnson Bros in Stoke-on-Trent, England. A rare trio, these three feature the Johnson Bros mark that first appeared in 1913, but we suspect that these may have been made in the 1920s or 1930s. Along with a colorful array of zinnia flowers both on the cups and the plates, they also feature gold detailing and a unique octagon shape

In the language of flowers, zinnias represent deep friendship and lasting affection, two relationship hallmarks that pair well with conversations over coffee and the marvel of pretty dishware that has survived a century. 

Although drinking espresso is rooted in early 1900s Italy, it wasn't a common beverage of choice in England until the mid-20th century. As a preferred tea-loving nation, strong after-dinner coffee was enjoyed in petite cups however in England during the early part of the 20th century. In America, espresso first gained popularity in the 1920s,. So whether this set was made for export to the States or graced tables and trays locally in England, we might never know. But one thing is for certain... nowadays a pretty espresso cup goes a long way in adding enjoyment to the day. 

Containing floral shades of tomato red, spring green, grape, marigold and sky blue accented with gold striping around the edges and handle, and a two-toned yellow and white background on both the cup and saucer, there's lots to love about these petite beverage holders. Octagon-shaped saucers mirror the octagon ribbing on the cups and an inner floral bouquet of blue and lavender forget-me-nots completes this colorful ensemble. 

A rare, very hard-to-find Johnson Bros pattern these days, we searched high and low for a pattern name that matched but haven't found any other examples. So as far as demitasse cup collecting goes, these three are a unique set that instantly adds history and a beutuful bouquet to any coffee cart or corner in the kitchen. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Matching set of three cups and three saucers
• Nine pieces total
• Rare set and rare pattern 
• Each saucer is stamped with maker's mark 

{CONDITION}

In beautiful antique condition, these cups and saucers contain no chips or cracks. The floral imagery is crisp and clear. The gold detailing contains no rub spots or worn areas. The saucers contain very light crazing and the cups are very clean inside and out. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Each cup measures 2" inches (height) x 2.5 inches (diameter). Each saucer measures 4.5" inches (width). Each cup and saucer set weighs 5 oz.