Royal Albert Afternoon Tea Cups - Monthly Collection, Birthday Gift, Year of the Horse Decor

♥~ Brand: Royal Albert ♥~ Origin: England ♥~ Material: Fine Bone China ♥~ Dimensions: Cup Rim * 7.5cm, Height * 7cm, Saucer Diameter * 12.5cm Dessert Plate Diameter 16cm ♥~ Product Details: This set of tea cups belongs to Royal Albert's Monthly Collection, specifically the January cup. Known as a birthday cup, this particular piece features "January" elegantly inscribed on the rim. It makes for a thoughtful birthday gift, especially for friends born in January. This is a complete, unused vintage stock item with no signs of wear. Each cup showcases a unique Snowdrop motif on both sides. The symbolism of the Snowdrop (Galanthus): • Hope • Rebirth • Purity • Quiet Strength Often blooming before the last vestiges of winter have melted away, it is seen as a "beautiful symbol of hope appearing even in the most difficult times." A Christian legend from Europe tells of... When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, the world entered a harsh winter. Eve wept from the cold and despair. An angel transformed her falling tears into small white flowers – the Snowdrops – whispering, "There is still hope." Thus, the Snowdrop is considered the first symbol of hope given to humanity after the loss of paradise. ♥~ Exciting News! "Annie's Vintage Finds" has officially launched its Facebook page! Simply search for "Annie's Vintage Finds" on Facebook and give us a like. You can then share the joy of collecting vintage treasures with fellow enthusiasts. We warmly invite you to join "Annie's Vintage Finds" and become a part of our community of vintage treasure hunters! ♥~ Annie's Notes Historical records suggest that during the Tang and Song dynasties, as foreign merchants and missionaries brought Chinese artifacts to Europe, they also introduced black tea to the European aristocracy, sparking a tea-drinking culture. In the early days, with maritime transport being the primary method and taking a considerable amount of time, tea leaves transported from their origin in China to London, England, would take at least half a year. Coupled with high shipping costs, tea was an ultra-luxury item exclusively for nobles in early European society. Later, in the early 18th century, to meet domestic demand for tea, Britain began establishing frequent bilateral trade relations with China. The British have a 300-year history of drinking black tea and are the world's largest importer of black tea. For them, a day without tea is unimaginable. Statistics show that 66% of British people drink an average of 4 cups of tea daily, encompassing morning tea, midday tea, afternoon tea, and evening tea. The average Briton consumes approximately 1500 cups of black tea annually. Annie believes this might also be one of the reasons why British bone china is so renowned, with such diverse pattern designs. Therefore, no matter what, acquiring a tea set for yourself will grant you an elegant and blissful tea-drinking experience amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life! Please read "About Me" carefully before placing a bid. There may be slight color differences in product photos. Please examine the product images and descriptions carefully before bidding. If you are a perfectionist regarding product condition, please consider carefully before bidding. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the item. Thank you for visiting me here and hope everyone enjoys your shopping here ♥ ~Annie~ ♥ Origin/Manufacturing Method: Made in England