Also Called :
Tea Cups, Demitasse Cups
Rarity :
Scarce, Rare (tiny cups)
Age :
Mid 19th Century–1920
Price Range :
$20.-$75. Depending on size.
Dimensions :
Left to Right:
2 7/8″ diameter x 2 3/8″ high
2 3/4″ diameter x 2 3/8″ high
2 1/2″ diameter x 2″ high
2 3/8″ diameter x 2″ high
2 1/4″ diameter x 2″ high
2 1/4″ diameter x 1 7/8″ high
2 1/4″ diameter x 1 7/16″ high
Weight :
Left to Right:
3 oz.–4.1 oz.–2.4 oz.–1.8 oz.–2.1 oz.–1.8 oz.–1.2 oz.
Provenance :
Left to Right:
Sotheby’s, NYC-1965
Pook & Pook, PA-1989
William Bunch Auction, Woodbury, NJ-1988
Ed’s Auction, W. Ringe, NH-1967
Hartzell Auction, Bangor, PA-2012
1989
Herbert Schiffer, PA-1988\
Availability :
ALL SOLD
Description: Canton Cups and their accompanying Saucers make up a confusing world in defining the many variations/sizes to be found for each. Accordingly, they will be found in separate listings. We will try not to differentiate between coffee, chocolate and tea cups or straight sided cans but will separate out demitasse cups. The Chinese did not have handles on their cups but for export they added them.
The 7 demitasse tapered cups are lined up here to show their size differences from 1 7/16″ to 2 3/8″ high and from 2 1/4″ to 2 7/8″ diameter. They all have straight line borders, glazed bottoms and pedestal bases. All but the smallest have loop handles.
The two most valuable demitasse cups are the two smallest as these very tiniest cups are rare. We have never seen ones this small, under 2″ high, smaller than the matchbook.