H97.101.3

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 pouch-shaped with a fluted lip and four feet and a handle decorated on the front side only. It is probably out of white porcelain, glazed, and decorated with blue and gold. It has 4 bas relief violets, 3 areas of ruffled clay appliques. The lip, neck, handle, ruffle, and feet are all in gold. There are also gold transfers over areas of bas relief violets. Orange numbers on the bottom: 109; Pressed numbers on bottom: 6688. The saucer is round, but does not sit flat. The materials in the saucer match the cup. It has a fluted rim decorated in blue and gold with bas relief cord and tassel motif. On the bottom of the saucer in gold: 11; paper tag on the bottom: 73X. In describing this cup, Della Hardmon Guess said, "Flo Blue. Flo Blue is very expensive. It's rich looking."

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