How do I identify eighteenth-century porcelain?

Eighteenth-century porcelain often shows the softer body of soft-paste ceramics under magnification, displaying slight glaze pooling and hand-painted underglaze blue or enamel decoration. Factory marks from this era are frequently painted by hand rather than stamped.

Can I use antique cups for daily tea drinking?

While many nineteenth-century bone china pieces remain structurally sound, centuries-old glazes and hand-painted enamels are sensitive to modern dishwashers and abrasive detergents. Gentle hand washing preserves the fragile gilding and delicate ceramic bodies for occasional use.

What does cabinet cup mean?

A cabinet cup refers to a highly decorative presentation piece intended to be housed in a glass display cabinet rather than utilised at the tea table. These items showcase exceptional painting and moulding skills from prominent European factories.