H97.101.2

The cups and saucers in this collection come from Della's Tea Cup Cafe, 7309 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland, which was established in February, 1967. The cafe is noted for, and decorated with, a very large collection of tea cups. Some of the cups were purchased by the owner, others were presented to her as gifts, while still others were made for her. A: cup; B: saucer. The cup is handmade earthenware, glazed baby blue, with a white six petal flower on either side. On the base of the cup, Fred Hardmon inscribed "1977, Fred, H." The saucer is oval, glazed baby blue only on the upper side, with a rectilinear indentation for the cup. On the base of the saucer, Fred Hardmon inscribed "1977, Fred, Hardmon." In describing this piece, Della Hardmon Guess said, "It was made by my son, Fred. He was inspired [by all the cups in the cafe]. He was in Burbank Elementary School and was all enthused about the cups. He's 32 now; that means he was 2 when I started [the cafe]. I always provided a place for my youngsters... a playpen, snacks... [at the cafe. My children were raised around the cafe.] Fred had taken it on himself to make a cup. What I like about it: it's handmade and all kinds of little dents in it and cracks." She read from the bottom of the saucer, "1977. Fred Hardmon." "I donate this to the museum and when Fred has a family, he can show it to his family; and there are other daddies that would be proud to show it to their family, too."

Used: drinking | Della's Tea Cup Cafe | Della Hardmon Guess | African American | Fred Hardmon | Burbank Elementary School | Handmade | Child care | Lynn Neighborhood