The long and fascinating history of teacups & saucers

Teacups and saucers have a long and fascinating history that is interwoven with the origin of tea and its journey across the globe.

Tea was discovered in China around 2737 BCE and was originally drunk from small, handleless bowls.  These bowls were used for many years and made from ceramic materials. The first proto-porcelain was introduced and used from 1600-1050 BCE.  Improved techniques commenced around 25-220 CE and the porcelain we are familiar with today was pioneered during the Tang dynasty (618-907).  These tea bowls remained in the East until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) when they were exported to European consumers.

Tea was consumed in China, Japan and other countries for hundreds of years before it was introduced to Europeans.  In the 16th century, Portuguese and Dutch trading ships brought tea and teaware to Europe, although it wouldn’t be popular until the 17th century.  During this time tea bowls started to evolve to suit European tastes and handles were added to the “bowls”.

Saucers, originally designed in China as small dishes to hold the tea bowl, developed into a larger bowl or plate shape to catch tea drips and hold the teaspoon.

Eventually European potters began to attempt to replicate the porcelain teaware coming from China.  There are three types of porcelain: hard-paste, soft-paste and bone china. 

Hard-paste, “true porcelain”, was developed by China ceramicists and is made from a mixture of kaolin and petunse.  It is fired at very high temperatures and results in translucent, bright white pottery.

Soft-paste porcelain was developed by European potters when they tried to replicate Chinese porcelain.  It uses different minerals and fires at a lower temperature.  Soft-paste lacks the durability of hard-paste, however, the material is attractive and artists were able to create beautiful designs with a variety of paints and glazes.  Once the German Meissen porcelain factory discovered hard-paste porcelain, soft-paste fell out of favor.

The third type of porcelain, bone china, was developed in England in the mid-18^th century.  English potters, not able to recreate hard-paste porcelain, discovered that adding bone ash to kaolin and petunse resulted in a porcelain that, while thin, is quite strong and offers an elegant, milky transparency. 

Over the years, designs of teacups and saucers have evolved to account for changing styles.  From elaborate floral designs to ornate gilded designs, to more modern sleek designs, teaware can be found to suit a variety of tastes and every occasion from small family gatherings to large formal parties. Regardless of the material or design, a cup of tea still symbolizes hospitality, friendship and a moment of serenity.