H82.93.4

Chocolate set. Description: 12 piece chocolate set; a: chocolate pot (all pieces probably a porcelain or "semi-porcelain") with a very lacy handle on the right side of the pot (when in use decoration would show to user) mat finish, cream into deep dust rose, with "gold" curves and pink roses and rose buds, top edge deeply scalloped; b: lid to pot, rose bottom with delicate "white" or negative flowers, knob is pointed and trimmed with "gold" on cream; c-g: chocolate cups, cream at bottom deep dusty rose at top, decorated with 2 large pink roses, one bud in a spray and many other small flowers, "gold" curves; h-l: suacers, mostly pink with 3 sections on deeper color. Dimensions: a: 3-1/4" diam at foot x 5 3/4" at low belly x 8"; b: 2 5/8f" diam. x 3-1/2"; c-g: 1-1/2" diam. at foot x 2 1/8" diam at low belly x 3 1/8"; h-l: 4-1/2" diam. x 1/2" History: Used by the family in Alameda County. References/Remarks: There is a chip on the top edge of the chocolate pot which is deeply scalloped; all edges of the cups are deeply scalloped but appear to be in good condition; same for saucers. From the History Information Station: Object: Chocolate set, printed and hand-painted bone china, circa 1900. Bone china is a fine white clay with bone ash mixed in to make it harder and whiter, so it resembles more expensive porcelain. History: Hot chocolate was a popular alternative to tea and coffee after dinner. Chocolate had its own set of tall, narrow cups and a tall, narrow pot. These helped the chocolate stay hot and allowed the muddy sediment to collect at the bottom. This set was owned by an East Bay family. The woman of the family might have painted the flowers on the set herself. Pottery-painting was a popular hobby in the late 1800s.

Used: food service | Alameda Co.