Once known as a love potion, bright red cardinal flowers are part of the lobelia family and are especially attractive to hummingbirds...

{HISTORY}

There is a little bit of educated speculation going on here in the Vintage Kitchen when it comes to these four mysterious vintage teacups. Researching these in order to identify maker and manufacture date brought not one single match so we are left up to our best guesses based on details. Let's look...

Stamped on the back with the U.S.A mark and nothing else, they might have been a part of the California pottery scene of the 1960's, whose pieces were often unmarked except for the letters U.S.A. Their bright botanical imagery is most likely a depiction of the Cardinal flower, which is part of the Lobelia family and a wild flower that traditionally hails from the Midwest. As a bright bloomer towards the end of the summer when all the other garden flowers are tending to fade, the Cardinal flower pops up with its cherry red fringe-like petals and colors the landscape bright and bold once again. A very attractive source of nourishment for hummingbirds, Cardinal flowers were actually named for the bright red cloth worn by cardinals in the Roman Catholic church.

Thanks to those fun facts, these teacups are an especially fun set for the entire Fall and Winter seasons stretching from the end of summer through the New Year, thanks to their red and green and gold color palette, botanical significance and their religious symbolism. Can't you just imagine drinking a hot cup of Thanksgiving rum punch or enjoying a cup of Christmas tea from these little charmers?!

We'll continue to research the particulars of this pattern, but for now, they are offered as-is with an extra dose of possibility.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- USA backstamp

- Colorful floral pattern featuring the colors tomato red, chocolate brown, avocado green and mustard yellow

- Matching set of 4

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. Some very light crazing on the interior bowl of each cup. Clean and bright, both inside and out, there are no chips or cracks except for one handle that has been skillfully repaired by a previous owner with a very strong bond making it use-able as originally intended. There is also one tiny (the size of a pencil point) surface chip on the exterior near the rim of the cup with the repaired handle. Both flaws to this cup are barely noticeable. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Each teacup measures 2.25" inches (height) x 3.75" inches (diameter) or 4.50" width (including handle)

{STYLE IDEA}

If you are a fan of hanging teacups from little hooks as display in your hutch or cupboard, these four would be an excellent choice with their bright cheerful colors and stylish midcentury design.