Lost in translation

Those of you who follow me on Instagram will have seen what I wrote about a Thomas Rose / Coalport saucer the other day. It was about a saucer with a wonderful strange smiling dragon on it.

Today I have a similar treasure, and just as rare: an adorable "Crazy Cow" pattern teacup and saucer. The Crazy Cow pattern was also an imitation of an original Chinese design with a dragon, or perhaps a phoenix. Chinese dragons and phoenixes are not the scary malignant creatures they are to the West: they bring good luck, wisdom, wise judgment and many more virtues. You often see a dragon chasing a pearl - as the only true form of power is wisdom of course.

Western painters didn't know this; there was no travel to the East so all they knew was the stories they had grown up with, which portrayed dragons as evil monsters and the phoenix as a creature that rises from ashes in times of destruction. They did their best copying the traditional designs, but the meaning was often lost in translation. This poor dragon came out so strange that it became widely known as the "Crazy Cow" - because that's what it looks like most 😂

It became a very popular pattern and many early 19th Century porcelain factories produced it: I've seen it from Spode, Minton and Chamberlain Worcester. The pattern is a wonderful mix between English folk style and Chinese Famille Rouge style. This beautiful cup and saucer were made in light creamware by Minton in about 1805. These items are incredibly rare and very desired, so I feel lucky to be able to offer one.

You can see this beautiful teacup here in my shop, and you can see all cups and saucers here. If you always want to see the latest additions, follow me on Instagram... I post pictures and a story every single day 🐉🐄🐲

Happy weekend, have some tea - and #stayathome ! 🏡