18th century ornate Tea Bowl and saucer, ca. 1740 - 1770, as in museums and books

Being offered is another beautiful 18th century tea cup (bowl) with its matching saucer. The tea bowl measures approximately 4 1/4 inches wide x 2 1/4 inches tall. The saucer measures approximately 6 1/8 inches wide x 1 ½” deep. Both pieces are Grisaille painted with a gold “DML” monogram in a shield framed in a wreath.

Because of its age, there are some small defects, but no real chips or cracks that affect the display of the piece. In the 18th century, teacups evolved from handle-less "tea bowls" to the familiar, handled cups we know today, often made from porcelain imported from China or replicated by European manufacturers. There are examples in "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution", by Neumann & Kravic (see pictures).

There are also similar examples of this tea cup and saucer in the Colonial Williamsburg Museum and an excavated example at the Fort Ticonderoga Museum (see pictures). Shards of these cups and saucers are often found at Revolutionary War sites, validating their period use (see pictures). This set is in very nice condition and would make a great addition to a Colonial collection or even a softer touch to a Revolutionary War collection. Original matching sets are difficult to find.