Lenox Rare Vintage Engagement Demitasse Cup & Saucer For Sale

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Lenox -

Vintage Engagement Cup & Saucer

For your consideration, this set is known as an Engagement Cup & Saucer. Crafted from fine ivory Lenox china, the backstamp indicates production between 1930 and 1949, most likely toward the earlier years.

Delicate demitasse cup is 2" tall, 2-3/4" diameter at top of bowl (not including the ring handle). Bowl shaped saucer is 1" high, 4-1/8" wide at top.

Rarely available, and highly collectible, the pieces have a delicacy and translucency that is singularly unique to that early time period and has not been reproduced.

History of the Engagement Cup & Saucer

From the 1893 publication of the book "The Pottery and Porcelain of the United States: An Historical Review of American Ceramic Art from the Earliest Times to the Present Day" page 236 we find a picture of the Engagement Cup and Saucer. Note that this Lenox issue is the exact same as the earlier Ceramic Art Company version.

From an 1894 article in "The Jewelers' Circular" we find the following under the title "A Craze for Pottery": "The present pretty custom of giving to a young lady whose engagement has been announced a dainty cup and saucer may have started the craze, or it may be the result of it; but whatever its origin, the pottery fad has signaled its coming, and the real fin-de-siècle* woman will know not only the ear-marks of the various kinds of pottery, but something of their history and of their real value."

*Fin-de-siècle - characteristic of the close of the 19th century and especially its literary and artistic climate of sophistication, opulence or decadence

From "Imagining Consumers: Design and Innovation from Wedgwood to Corning": "During the decade, retailers encouraged manufacturers to reconceptualize standard lines as wedding-related gifts as a way of enlarging markets for household accessories. Porcelain factories pioneered this theme, and cut glass makers hurried to catch up. In 1891 Walter Scott Lenox, proprietor of Ceramic Art Company in Trenton, New Jersey, received a perplexing order for some porcelain "engagement cups." "But what is an engagement cup?" queried Lenox. "Oh, after-dinner, coffee, or anything of that kind," replied the scheming merchant, "as pretty and delicate as you can" make them. After receiving his porcelain delicacies, the dealer launched a ballyhoo promotion, telling fashionable shoppers that a betrothal warranted giving the bride an "engagement cup and saucer."

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• The pictures you view are of the exact item you will receive unless otherwise noted

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• We ship immediately, typically the day following receipt of your payment, sometimes the same day if the transaction is completed in the morning

• We utilize both USPS and UPS, choosing the most economical based on distance and insurance considerations

• Your purchase is from a seasoned seller whotaught a class on how to buy and sell on at a local community college.

Payment forms accepted:

Payment is preferred by PayPal. Payment not received within 7 days will be reported as a non-paying buyer. PayPal payments are shipped to verified address only.

Shipping:

Buyer is responsible for shipping costs, unless the listing is advertised as "Free Shipping". The shipping fee is either clearly stated or enter your zip code at the calculator at the bottom of the page. Multiple purchases may have an unknown shipping rate due to fluctuations in weight but items will be combined to save money whenever possible. If you intend on offerding on multiple items, please let us know so we don't start packing in advance.

In the case of damage in an insured shipment: Retain all packing materials. UPS - we submit the claim. USPS - either party may submit the claim.

Returns/Customer Service

If you receive something not as described due to a blatant mistake on our part, we'll pay everything; return shipping as well as a full refund of the purchase price and the original shipping.

Buyer's Remorse: We are flexible if a purchased item arrives and you simply change your mind. A 15% restocking fee will be charged and return shipping is at buyer's expense.

Please notify us within three days of item(s) receipt and for pre-authorization (use the contact button). The item(s) must be returned and received in the same condition as when originally shipped. Item(s) must be returned shipping prepaid, insured for the full value and safely wrapped and packaged to prevent shipping damage.

Unless stated as new, these pieces have been around for many years, some as many as 100 and are sold "AS IS". They have been displayed, used, washed, packed, etc The pictures and descriptions are as detailed as possible, and all reasonable care has been taken to describe as accurately as possible along with any damage or issues noted. However, vintage and antiques are previously owned If anything less than perfect, out of the box, isn't acceptable, these style pieces may not meet your standards.

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This item has been shown times. Lenox Rare Vintage Engagement Demitasse Cup & Saucer: $39