While we (actually my wife) collect fabulous English & Irish chinaware's, sometimes that little bit of novelty Australiana catches her eye - this is one of those items.
Kookaburra's adorn the decoration on this piece
Besides the decoration, the cup or mug itself is a little oddly shaped. While the top looks like a traditional standard round teacup, the lower section of the body is square shaped and much more like a coffee mug.
She doesn't even know who made it (no maker's name at all) but she always felt it was a "Chinese made thing"
NOVELTY TEACUP or COFFEE MUG ONLY
Makers name: Unknown
Circa 1980's (this is the period that my wife picked this up)
Fine bone china
Opaque china, meaning that when held to a strong light source, you cannot see the shadow of your fingers through the chinaware
Transferware
Quite a heavy cup, not 'dainty' at all
Pattern (name unknown) comprises three separate and different decorations depicting Kookaburra's (Kingfishers) sitting on Gumtree branches. One of the decorations is inside the cup bowl and is actually a very small version of one outer decoration.
Gold gilding has been applied to the top rim and down the back of the handle
DIMENSIONS:
90mm diameter mouth x 75mm height
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Black printed backstamp design doesn't really tell you much ...
(All text below is in the style of "flowing writing)
The Australian Bird Collection
(central coloured graphic of a Kookaburra)
Fine Bone China
There are no makers identification marks at all
COSMETIC CONDITION:
CLEAN
NO cracks
NO fleabites
NO discolouration
NO crazing
The Gold gilding is in very good condition with no signs of handling or washing wear, even on the handle (where most damage usually occurs)
