When you have caught the rhythm of Africa, you find out that it is the same in all her music. Isak Dinesen

{HISTORY}

Vintage restaurant ware holds all sorts of adventurous stories. This serving piece might just be our most exotic one yet! Made by Continental China, this demitasse cup and saucer was once part of the midcentury dishware collection at the Country Club Johannesburg - a lively social and sporting venue that was first founded in South Africa in 1906.

With its classic blue and yellow stripes and elegant oak leaf imagery, this cup represents not only a beautiful serving piece but also a unique aspect of Africa's history. Shuttling around the Club's dining rooms during South Africa's apartheid years, in the affluent suburb of Aukland Park, this cup and saucer was witness to all sorts of lively discussion about politics, equal rights, and social issues facing the city, the country, and the continent. In between games of cards, cricket, and croquet, influential members of South African society, the ex-pat community, and local residents mingled, relaxed, played, dined, and debated about life in Johannesburg on all fronts. It is fascinating to think about the types of conversation that could spill forth from this cup if only it could talk! 

Since the late 1940s, Continental China has been South Africa's largest manufacturer of restaurant and hotel ware. Very hard to find nowadays, this rare cup and saucer was part of their Supradura series, making it especially sturdy for all the serving situations encountered at a busy venue like the Country Club Johannesburg. The Country Club itself is also still going strong, crediting the fact that while they are ever mindful of the rich history and tradition the Club has accrued over the last century,  yet they enthusiastically welcome positive change as the Club carries on into the 21st century. 

Photo included here is of the Club's opening day taken in December 1906. Courtesy of the Country Club Johannesburg. Visit their site here.  

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Very rare, hard to find pattern 

- Stamped on bottom of plate and cup with makers mark 

- Both the cup and plate feature the Country Club insignia and oak leaf design

- Matching set of two pieces includes cup and saucer

{CONDITION}

In absolutely flawless condition. No chips, cracks or crazing. 

{SIZE}

Cup measures 2.5" inches (height) x 2.5"inches (diameter). Plate measures 5.25" inches (diameter). Together this set weighs 10oz. 

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Find more vintage restaurant ware in the shop here...