heramic studio 
TEA AND COFFEE CUPS 
Charles F. Binns 
IN the recent competition for a design for the decoration of a 
tea cup and saucer it was expressly stated that the shape 
of the cup itself was not part of the competition. The draw- 
ings sent in, however, suggest to a practical potter the idea 
that many persons who design decorations for pottery have 
but little idea of the methods by which pottery is produced or 
of the conditions obtaining in its manufacture. 
In designing a decoration the first requirement is a 
knowledge of the form to which the surface treatment is to be 
adapted. This form should be a natural outgrowth of the 
raethod of manufacture and of the nature of the material itself. 
Every substance which is used by the artisan has its possi- 
bilities and its limitations, every method has, likewise, the 
same. By a process of elimination and evolution certain 
methods are applied to certain wares and a knowledge of these 
is the first need of the designer. 
Cups are made by two processes, on the wheel or by casting 
and in both cases it is advisable if not absolutely necessarj^ 
that the piece should be removable from a mold which is in 
one part. This means that no part of the cup is of larger 
diameter than the top and also that no part shall be so under- 
cut as to bind in the mold. Molds can be divided vertically 
into two or three parts but this entails great expense in the 
manufacture. In the case of cups made on the wheel the use 
of the turning lathe makes it possible to change the outline 
quite appreciably after the cup leaves the mold. For in- 
stance in shapes II and IV a roll foot could be made by allowing 
a sufficient substance in the making and having the foot 
shaped by the turner. 
A cup intended for casting should have as simple a foot 
as possible. The inside line of a cast cup is parallel to the 
outside line so that a prominent foot means a deep recess 
inside. Shapes I and V are suitable for casting, the others 
less so. No. II being very unsuitable because of the deep, 
narrow foot. Now it will undoubtedly be claimed that these 
shapes are not new. They do not pretend to be, but, never- 
theless, shapes like these constitute ninety-nine hvmdredths of 
I > r n 
^^ 1 
m 
Jm 
all the tea cups manufactured for the simple reason that X\\cy 
have stood the test of time and have proved themselves. 
Every now and then some odd shape is brought out which 
is new, but after one or two dozens have been sold it is relegated 
to a dark corrier and the old favorite prevails once more. At 
the same trme-there are many variations which may be wrought 
in these shapes;- The proportion of diameter to heiight, the 
play of. curve, the height of foot, all afford an opportunity for 
the artistic mind. Only let the limitations of manufacture 
be borne in mind. 
In handles a similar deficiency is observed. Not one 
designer in ten seems to remember that a handle is to be taken 
hold of. In a large cup it should be possible to put a finger 
through the handle, in a very small one it is possible to lift it 
comfortably between finger and thumb. 
A handle is nrade in a mold which consists of two parts. 
These parts are pressed together and the handle is shaped 
between them. Nothing therefore is admissible in a handle 
which cannot be expressed in this kind of a mold just as a coin 
is formed by a double die. 
Handles are classed in three groups, the open or bow 
handle (Figures VII to XI) , the ringhandle (Figs. XII and XIII) 
and the solid handle (Fig. XIV). The first of these is by far 
the most usual and is capable of wide variation. A few of 
these are given as are adapted to various shapes. No. IX is 
the simple form and is a ver3" popular handle. No. XIII is 
heavy and only suited to large substantial cups. 
One of the most popular handles is No, XII, this has been 
used constantly for the last thirty-five years, certainly, on cup 
No. III. The variation in No. XIII is considerably older but 
has never been so much in demand, probably because it is 
more difficult to make and less easy to use. 
The idea expressed in No. XIV is very attractive but is 
only suited to small coffee cups because of the less certain grip 
which a solid handle gives. It is capable of great variation 
and lends itself well to decorative ideas. 
In such wares as cups and saucers the idea should be to 
make them "livable." If one has to meet these things three 
times a day and to use them they must possess the quality 
of persistence. Not a passing acquaintance only but an 
intimate companion and hence not novelty but durability is to 
be sought — durability, not in the sense of resistance to shock 
but in that satisfying nature which makes one averse to change. 
How much better it is to feel "I always liked that old tea 
set and am sorry it is broken," than to have to say "I am so 
glad that thing is out of the way at last, now we can get some- 
thing nice." 
