H97.101.39

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, egg-shaped, on four feet.Cup is divided into four panels, the front one is decorated with a decal of a woman (late 18th century costume--black bodice, white ruffle and head covering, maroon background. Various surfaces of the cup have bas relief textures. Decorative lines and scrolls in metallic gold; handle is scroll form in metallic gold. No manufacturer information/mark on either cup or saucer. B: Saucer, matches cup, with four decorative panels, each centered with a large scroll motif in metallic gold. Metallic gold lines. Paper tag on bottom: "4-3XX".

Used: Della's Tea Cup Cafe | Della Hardmon Guess | African American | Drinking | Lynn Neighborhood