Hollinshead and Kirkham Teacup

  

Figure 1. Front of the teacup. Details shown of the hand painted flowers and cottage. Also shows one chip on the lip of the cup. 

This object is a children’s teacup without a handle made in the 1930’s in Staffordshire, England. It weighs approximately 81 grams and has a base diameter of 6cm and a top diameter of 9cm. As a replacement for Chinese porcelain, this earthenware cup has materials sourced from southern England. There is hand painting under the delft-type tin overglaze of green and blue ‘drips’ from the top edges. The main hand painted design on one side of the cup is of multicoloured flowers surrounding a small cottage and a path. There is no evidence of markings from positioning in a kiln, but as the cup comes from a large manufacturer, it is probable that the cup itself was mass fired and slip-cast based on the symmetry of the sides. 

 

Figure 2. Reverse and bottom of the teacup. Shows the printed stamp makers mark of Hollinshead and Kirkham, Tunstall- ceramic manufacturers. An imprint of dirt around the bottom round edge of the cup visible.  

 

Figure 3. Sketch of teacup, with dimensions.