Exquisite tea cup and saucer as used on the pre-World War I Cunarders. Arguably, one of the most sought-after pieces of Cunard china you can find. A very unusual shaped saucer -- one end held the cup and the other end was for your finger sandwiches or pastries. The highest quality fine bone-china made by Mintons with a date mark of 1907 impressed into the piece.
All Cunard china including this piece (except the very first pattern) was top marked with the company logo up until the advent of the Aquitania in 1914 when the logo was moved to the back. It returned to the front during the later years of QE2's service. Things often seem to come full circle!
Like every piece of china I have seen in this shape, the stress put on the clay (where the china is "pinched" to give the saucer its unusual shape) causes some small hairlines after some time. The saucer measures 8½" long and 5" across the widest part. The hand-painted blue-and-pink pastel pattern is in excellent condition. A touch of gold loss on the saucer and some on the cup.
One of the finest (and rarest) pieces of ocean-liner china you can find! In excellent condition for being 103 years old! $850.
Pre-WWI bone-china demi-tasse cup and saucer as used on board the Lusitania and Mauretania. Made by Mintons and in mint condition. Note archival on board Mauretania. $245.
As an aside, I was talking to a customer of mine a few months ago, and he told me that when he was a tour guide on the Queen Mary in the 1970's, he was given a tour of the forward storage areas. One of the rooms he was shown was where all the remaining china and crystal on board was kept. He was shown a crate that was full of these cups and saucers in the original packing material. They were mint and had never been used. It seems that, when Cunard sold the Mary, a lot of the Cunard's surplus inventory was put on board simply to get rid of it. I've never seen any photos showing this pattern in use on board any Cunard ship after the first world war. It just goes to show that Cunard *never* threw things away....
Stuart Crystal in the famous "wave" pattern as used on the Queens. I've always suspected that there are large quantities of this hanging out in grandma's dining room hutch, but at this point, most of it has lost its identity because it is not marked Cunard. To find a piece of this, you really have to know what you're looking for.
Might be a wine glass. If any of you out there know better, please don't hesitate to let me know! Mint condition. A pair available @ $185 each.
From the on-board service of the Queens. This crystal pattern was introduced on the Queen Mary in 1936 for her maiden voyage. Made by Stuart crystal. Because it's so hard to identify, it is actually much rarer than any Cunard china from the Queens.
Possibly for champagne, but I can't be sure. Stands 3" tall and 2½' across the rim. Mint condition. A pair available @ $185 each.
Stuart crystal whiskey tumbler, bottom-marked with a pre-World War I Cunard belt logo. These were sold in the on-board gift shops of the Queens to discourage theft of the in-service pieces. Have your next "adult beverage" in one of these. Stands almost 3½" tall. A pair available @ $135 each.
Cunard (and the rest of the UK) went for the cube-style teapot in a big way in the 1920's. Cunard being Cunard, they were tradition bound and kept using the cube style for 60+ years, even as late as on QE2 in the 1980's. This hand-painted "bird of paradise" teapot is made of fine bone china and is in excellent condition. Stands 3" x 3½" wide. $175.
Hand painted and part of the on-board service. Not souvenir. Very good condition with some wear to the red rim and a small hairline across one side at the base. Stands 4" tall. $65
Sporting the Bird-of-Paradise pattern, this individual creamer is in near mint. About 3" tall. $50.
Large waste dish in the famous Cuba pattern. Hand painted and happily near mint. Part of the on-board service. Not souvenir. Measures about 3" x 2". $65.
Small sugar bowl. Measures 2" x 1½" tall with some wear to the red rim. Part of the on-board service. Not souvenir. Excellent condition with some wear tot he red rim. $50.
Very hard to find luncheon plate from the Bird of Paradise tea service from the 1920's. In mint condition and measures about 8" in diameter. One of the harder pieces of this pattern to find. Most people are looking for luncheon plates to complete their tea sets. $135.
Bone china hand-painted side plate in the “Bird-of-Paradise” pattern. Measures just over 6” across. Marked "souvenir" and purchased in the on-board gift shop. Produced by Tuscan china and bottom marked with the Cunard logo. Identical to the china used on board many Cunarders in the 1920’s. In excellent condition. No chips, cracks, or crazing. A quantity available @ $65 each.
Lovely tea cup and saucer in the hand-painted "Bird-of-Paradise" pattern. Excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or crazing. $95.
Fine bone china sugar dish in the rose pattern. Hand-painted and produced by Copelands, this piece measures about 2" across and stands 1½". In near-mint condition. A very beautiful pattern! $45.
Fantastic Mintons tea pot in the exceedingly hard-to-find "Cuckoo" pattern dating to the 1920's. Part of the appeal of the cube design was that it was supposed to have a dripless spout. Having never tried it, I can't verify that claim! Excellent condition except for a hairline crack that runs down one side and on the bottom. Displays well as the hairline is nearly invisible. I mention it for completeness sake, but it does not detract. A touch of wear to the red rim. $275.
These large hot water jugs were part of the tea ritual on Cunard liners. An entire tea set would be brought to you with the tea unmade. You had hot water in this jug and loose tea leaves in the "waste" cube. By combining them in the pot you could steep your tea to any desired strength. Excellent condition with just a touch of wear to the red band on the top. $145.
When Cunard finally abandoned loose tea leaves in the late 1960's, an unforeseen problem arose. Stewards were used to dumping the waste tea directly into the kitchen sinks so when tea bags started to be used on the Queen Elizabeth, all sorts of clogs were caused by dumping the tea bags directly into the sink! Very rare Mintons waste dish in excellent condition. Measures about 3" x 2" tall. Some slight wear to the red rim. $125.
Sugar bowl in this rare pattern made by Mintons. Measures 2" across x 1½" tall. Has just the slightest wear to red rim. $95.
Mintons bone-china side plate. This pattern is very hard to find and dates from the 1920's. I think the Reynolds and Son mark on the base is for the china broker much like Stoniers was for White Star. Meaures 6½" across. In excellent condition. $145.
Mintons chamber pot in the pattern used in first class at the time of Lusitania. Bottom marked with the pre-World War I Cunard ribbon logo. Excellent condition, retaining almost all of its original gold trim. No chips, cracks, or crazing. Measures about 7½" across and 5" high. $245.
It's hard to believe that as late as the 1930's second- and third-class passengers had to go down the hall to use the facilities. Or they could use one of these! This example of a Cunard White Star chamber pot measures about 7½" across and 5" high. Produced by Mintons, this is fully marked with Mintons name and the CWS logo on the bottom. Very good condition with some crazing on the inside bottom. $195.
Beautiful in its simplicity, this Cunard White Star demi-tasse cup and saucer by Mintons is a rare find. Unusual to see Cunard or Cunard White Star china with no pattern. Mint condition. $95.
Commonly known as the VIP pattern, this ornate bone china was used in the suites on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Very tough to find! Measures about 6½" across. In excellent condition with some light crazing. A pair available @ $295 each.
SOLD!
Foley bone-china tea pot, measuring just about 3¼” square and stands 3" tall. Excellent condition. No cracks, chips, or crazing. Displays well as a set with the larger tea pot (if you've got one!). Note the archival of the tea set in use in Queen Mary's post-war garden lounge. It seems that these small tea pots were strictly for individual's, one per passenger. Note that both "passengers" have their own. $135.
Foley bone-china footed dish. Measures about 3” across the top and stands about 2” high. Very good condition No chips or crazing. One of the harder Foley pieces to find. A small quantity available @ $95 each.
SOLD!
Are you looking for that extra cup and saucer to complete your tea set? Here's a Foley bone-china tea cup and saucer from the post-WWII service of the Queens. Excellent condition. No chips, cracks, or crazing. $85.
Rare, rare, rare! Probably the rarest piece of the Foley tea service you'll ever see. Not too many of these show up probably because they were only used in the lounges for tea and not on deck. It seems that those pesky lap trays were just not big enough for them! Measures 8" in diameter. Mint condition. Not even the archive on the Queen Mary has one of these in its collection. If you want a complete tea set, this is a must have. $175.
Foley bone-china side plate, measuring 6½” across. Date mark impressed into the bottom of some. Very good condition. A quantity available. $40 ea.
The ubiquitous shell dish as used on the Queens. This filled many uses, apparently at the stewards' discretion. In archival photos, I've seen it used for olives, cashews, and lemon/lime slices. See archival photo at left. Measures 5" across. Made by Foley. Excellent condition with a small chip out of the back. $40.
The ubiquitous shell dish as used on the Queens. This filled many uses, apparently at the stewards' discretion. In archival photos, I've seen it used for olives, cashews, and lemon/lime slices. Measures 3½" across. Made by Foley. See photos for condition. A quantity available @ $35 each.
Very rare to find a bullion cup and saucer in any pattern. Excellent condition. $95.
SOLD!
Have your morning brew just like I do in a lovely cup and saucer from the service of the Queens. Great condition. These move fast so grab them while you can. A pair available @ $65 ea.
Soup bowl as used on the Queens. Measures about 9" in diameter. Excellent condition. $35.
Side bowl as used on the Queens, Caronia, and second Mauretania. Excellent condition. Measures 6¼" in diameter. A quantity available @ $22 ea.
Unusual shallow bowl made by Maddock. Excellent condition. Measures 8" in diameter. Three available (all dated 1965) @ $50 ea.
Nice oval asparagus dish. Don't see too many of these. Measures about 8" x 5". Excellent condition. A pair available @ $40 ea.
Crescent salad plate in mint condition. I really dig the shape. All the Maddock china is helpfully dated. I wish other firms had been as meticulous about dating the china. $45.
Rarely seen cereal bowl. Excellent condition. Measures 7½". A quantity available @ $35 ea.
Rare egg hoop from the post-WWII on-board Cunard service. Full Cunard logo inside. This pattern was used in both first and second class on all the major post war Cunard ships, including Mauretania and Caronia. $65.
Cunard went for Maddock china in a big way. The post war ships used it by ton. Still it's getting tougher to find in good condition. Measures 7¼". Excellent condition. $25.
Very rare hors d'oeuvre dish made by Empire. This were used on the "Barlett" hors d'oeuvre trolleys that the waiters pushed around to each table with a selection of appetizers to tempt you. The back of this is marked "3," because each dish was placed in a particular order in the trolley. A few light crazing marks. The only one of this pattern I have ever seen. See archival at left for a photo of these types of trays in use in their trolley on the Queen Elizabeth. $125.
Third-class cereal bowl as used on the Queens. Excellent condition. $32.
Fine-bone china cup and saucer from the tea service on QE2. Made by Royal Doulton, this cup and saucer was put on the ship after the Trafalgar takeover of Cunard in 1972 because the pattern is a decal and not the original gold leaf. See archival for this type of cup and saucer in use. No chips, cracks, or crazing. Excellent condition. Only one left! $50.
Snowflake pattern, most likely post-1972 because the pattern is a decal and not the original gold leaf. Made by Royal Doulton. Measures 6½" in diameter. Excellent condition. Just one left. $25
13305 Cunard Asparagus Tongs
Beautiful pair of asparagus tongs made by Elkington. Dating to 1921, these tongs are in excellent condition. $55.
A nicely weighted bud vase from first-class service introduced on the Aquitania. Made by Embassy and stands just over 7" tall. If Cunard went to Elkington for their tableware, they went to Embassy for their bud vases. In excellent condition. $245.
Iced-butter dish. Insert made by Elkington and the dish made by Chester. Measures 5" across from handle to handle. In very good condition with the typical use mark $75.
Lovely Kosher iced butter dish in the pinewood pattern as used throughout the Cunard fleet. Top is marked with the Hebrew word for "Kosher," and both pieces are marked Cunard White Star. Measures 5" across from handle to handle. I've seen examples of iced butter dishes for many transatlantic companies, and these seem to be a first-class table prerequisite. Made by Chester. $85.
SOLD!
Cunard White Star champagne bucket. Made by Elkington and date marked 1945. The bucket is about 8” in diameter at the upper rim and stands 9½” tall. Very good condition. This example is the best condition of any CWS champagne buckets I have ever seen. With none of the usual nicks, dings, and marks from use. Loss of silver plate inside the bottom of the bucket where the bottle rested. Imagine serving champagne from this at your next function! $395.
Fantastic silver condiment set that once most likely held salt, pepper, and mustard. I have never seen a similar condiment set for White Star so one wonders how they served their dry mustard. Made by Elkington. Happily comes with an elusive original Cunard White Star spoon. (Spoons of the correct type like this one can sell upwards of $75 because they are so hard to find.)
Both items mares Cunard White Star, and the condiment dish is date marked 1936. Both pieces in excellent condition except for a separation where two of the "bulbs" meet, but this is not easily seen. $185.
Highly sought-after condiment dish in the pinewood pattern. Made by Elkington and date marked 1939. No plate loss and very little wear. Excellent condition. Measures 3½" from handle to front and stands about 2" tall. Both pieces. $145.
Silver Cunard White Star serving cover in the Pinewood pattern, measuring about 11" in length and 2½" tall. Dated to 1939 and made by Elkington. Most likely made for the Queen Elizabeth or the second Mauretania. Good condition with a few dings and dents. No loss of silver. $85.
Silver Cunard White Star serving cover measuring about 7½" in length and 2½" tall. Made by Elkington and dated 1948. Most likely made for a ship's post-war return to service. Unlike many of the covers commonly seen, this one is not festooned with dents but there are a few small ones. Otherwise in very good condition. $75.
Mint-condition steward's table crumber. Such good condition, you can see your reflection in the pan. Made by Roberts & Belk. Measures 12½". An excellent addition to anyone's collection, especially because they are rarely seen in this condition. Just imagine the steward sweeping your table between courses. They still do this today on QE2. $235.
Unusually shaped Cunard butter pick. Use this with your iced-butter dish! Measures about 5". Made by Roberts & Belk. Very good condition. $25.
Reeded-handled knife as used on Mauretania and Aquitania in the 1920s. Made by Elkington Plate with no date mark. Measures 8¾". Very good condition. $20.
Cunard White Star nut dish. A little over 5" across from handle to tip. The typical use marks. Not too often seen. Made by Chester. $45.
Unusual silver sherbet dish made by Chester and dates to the 1920's judging from the Cunard logo on the bottom. Has some use marks but no loss of silver plate. Stands about 3" tall. $65.
Lovely Pinewood silver sugar shaker. Stands about 6" tall. Produced by Elkington and date marked to 1939. Very good condition with a couple of dings. Otherwise excellent. $75.
Cunard White Star sugar tongs made by Elkington and dated to 1948. They measure 4½" long. Nice logo on the outside of the handle. In very good condition. $75.
SOLD!
Elegant bud vase as used on the Queen Mary before the war. Made by Embassy. Despite having a heavy base, these always show signs dents from having toppled over, but fortunately, not so much in this example. Lots of dings from use. Stand about 7" tall. See a similar bud vase in use on the Queen Mary in the archival at left. $125.