H97.101.28

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, outside baby blue, inside white, lip, edge of foot and edge of handle all decorated with metallic gold. Handle is in the shape of a three dimensional butterfly: top of wing is gray, bottom orange color, with yellow and black spots. Front of cup is decorated with small bird (perhaps a chicadee), on a branch on a branch; back of cup has a mauve and baby blue butterfly (or moth) fluttering over a stalk of wheat or oats. A red lady bug crawls on the leaf of a flowering plant. (The plant material is rendered in red and metallic gold on both "A" and "B".) B: Saucer, center is white, outer rim is baby blue edged at center and rim with metallic gold. The bird on the saucer resembles a bluebird, with blue head, wings and back and a rusty chest. Large orange and white flying insect walks towrd some plant. Bottom of the saucer is white. Both cup and saucer are marked: "Manufactured by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Co., for Tiffany, New York." Commenting on this piece, Della said: "Tiffany is an outstanding company. It is very expensive. It's like...Wedgwood, outstanding. This is very, very expensive."

Used: Della's Tea Cup Cafe | Della Hardmon Guess | African American | Drinking | Tiffany & Co. | New York | Lynn Neighborhood