Gaudy Welsh

I am having trouble with the shape of this cup, if it is a cup; the wide horizontal lip stumps me and my searches. The porcelain body is also a problem, it is translucent so not stone or earthenware. Any ideas anybody?

Could well be a toy chamber pot as that lip obviously makes it impractical as a drinking vessel and the shape looks right. Gaudy Welsh china tea ware is not uncommon - I've got a couple of china mugs on the table in front of me - although earthenware is more common. I'm no expert but I reckon the date is a bit earlier, perhaps even 1840s or 1850s.

Well, that is an interesting thought. Having spent a few minutes having a google I can see what you mean about the shape, but (and hold on to your dinner) it works extremely well as a cup - I've tried it - and the everted/inverted rim guides liquids very efficiently in the required direction. More research, I think. I'll let you know if I come up with anything earth-shattering.

I did wonder with the lip whether it may have had a lid, and therefore could be a custard cup rather than a teacup? I have seen them so called both with and without handles

Gaudy Welsh, ‘Village’ pattern

Gaudy Welsh, ‘Tulip’ pattern