MEET THE COLLECTOR SOPHIE HARVEY, TEACUPS AND SAUCERS
TALKING SHOP
Stuart Atkinson and Kiel Shaw – aka The Fontaine Boys – have been dealing in antiques since 1995. Selling predominantly English country house furniture and accessories – from George III pedestal tables to pine dressers and everything in between – they are also well revered for their selection of artworks. Selling online and from their Herefordshire showroom – a beautiful timber and brick outbuilding adjacent to their Elizabethan manor house home – and priding themselves on an informal and relaxed selling approach, a warm welcome is always extended. Viewing is by appointment only. (fontainedecorative.com)
What I collect:
Teacups and saucers from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Victorian transferware and retro pieces with bold prints and flowers are my favourite but I’ve recently started collecting traditional Japanese handpainted tea sets. I am largely drawn to green, blue, pink, and orange pieces with delicate giltwork and Art Deco-style scalloped shaping. I have around 300 pieces in total.
Why I collect:
I started collecting teacups mainly by way of connecting me to my heritage. The ritual of tea is incredibly important to me and my family. My great-grandmother – AngloIndian and born in Assam – lived in India until the age of 12. Her father was a British officer, who we believe was a founder of the Taylors tea plantation. My collection has become something of a homage to my grandmother and our rich ancestry. As a stylist and photographer, my studio has become a kind of playground of teacups where I curate still-life images based around the ritual of afternoon tea.
How I collect:
At the age of 18 I remember scouring the charity shops of Suffolk and stumbling across a rather discoloured crazed cup with many hairline cracks and the sweetest gilt detailing; this dainty little thing was the beginning. Nowadays, I look high and low for them, from car-boot sales to charity shops – though village hall tabletop sales are the best. I also find pieces through my vintage business Stone & Sage Shop (stoneandsage.co.uk).
My collection highlight:
My most treasured pieces are a collection handed down to me after my grandmother’s passing – I will never part with this. Aesthetically, my highlight is an antique Italian cup and saucer set in pastel pink and mint green with gold edging and handle.