Top Ten Teacups

Ask any tea drinker how they take theirs and they’re sure to respond with a description that they hope will result in a perfect brew. But what if they express a preference for the style or design of teacup as well?

We asked Chinasearch’s Jon Ward for his current teacup highlights to feature in this Top Ten.

Let’s begin with the Spode Creatures of Curiosity Teacup. This quirky Victorian-influenced design, manufactured to Spode’s exacting standards, is very beautiful – and certainly sets the teacup standard for attractiveness and elegance.

On a similar theme of elegance is Wedgwood’s Wonderlust Teacup. For Jon, the whole of the Wonderlust collection is fabulous, his favourite being the waterlily (shown here). This fine bone china teacup has a design that seems to make time stop, allowing the tea drinker to ‘take five’ with their afternoon cuppa.

Now for something a bit fun! Yvonne Ellen always bring a smile, with her fun take on vintage combining nostalgic elements and playful creatures, as seen with this Yvonne Ellen Animal Teacup. It proudly features an elephant wearing a bow that delightfully matches the teacup’s pink hues.

This next teacup highlight might be a surprise to see in amongst its brightly coloured and beautifully decorated peers. However, according to Jon, a great value white bone china teacup is not that easy to find. So, with Royal Worcester coming to the rescue, this simply beautiful Royal Worcester Serendipity Teacup absolutely deserves its place.

We’ve paired two classic examples of Made in England blue and white earthenware for this entry into the Top Ten. Both the Burleigh Blue Asiatic Pheasants Teacup and the Spode Blue Italian Teacup are standout heritage designs that will feel as at home on a country table as they will in a city apartment. Classic elegance at its best.

Another classic, but with a modern take, is the Royal Albert New Country Roses White Teacup – ‘new’ the all-important word here. Having a classic shape and bright, clean floral style, this new teacup mixes in easily with new or pre-loved dinnerware, remaining confident of what it stands for.

From English roses to stunning birds, these fine porcelain teacups from the Sara Miller London for Portmeirion Collection are vibrant in colour, have plenty of bling and are an easy-going shape. There are many bird-lovers among us, and these teacups – not forgetting the beautiful complementary teapot – make a much-admired gift for a friend (or perhaps for ourselves!).

Using playful colours and patterns in a different way is this Christian Lacroix Caribe Teacup. Being typical Lacroix, the pattern combines luxury and insouciance for an altogether cool vibe. Imagine sipping tea from this delicate porcelain cup and letting all your worries drift away…

But before anyone drifts off anywhere, we need to feature our final teacup! It might be last in this list, but it’s Jon’s favourite and sits proudly on its saucer at the very top of our Top Ten – the Vista Alegre Futurismo Teacup. Jon gives this his vote for being “a bright, fun, cheerful design influenced by mid-century and futurism design ideas, but also very much of today. It’s so versatile to use with or without the saucer for a cup of tea or as a small coffee mug.”

And we couldn’t agree more.