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Rare Antique German Enamelware Child’s Cup & Saucer – Dutch Folk Motif
A beautiful and uncommon antique German child-size enamelware cup and saucer set, featuring a charming European / Dutch folk-style figure carrying two buckets suspended from a shoulder yoke.
The cup is clearly stamped “MADE IN GERMANY” on the underside. Based on the construction, enamel finish, miniature proportions, decorative style, and comparable early German children’s tea ware, this set appears to date approximately to the 1920s–1940s.
This is not ordinary ceramic dinnerware. Both pieces are made from enameled metal, a traditional manufacturing technique in which a durable glass-like enamel coating is fused over a metal body. The result is the distinctive smooth, glossy blue surface seen throughout this set. Early miniature enamelware pieces such as this were commonly produced as part of children’s toy tea and tableware sets and are now collected as examples of early European toy and household design.
What makes this example especially appealing is its light sky-blue enamel color, white-trimmed rim, and colorful folk illustration. The central image depicts a traditionally dressed woman carrying buckets with a shoulder yoke, giving the piece a strong old-European folk character.
The exact illustrated design appears to be uncommon and difficult to find, particularly together as a matching cup-and-saucer pair. Comparable German children’s enamelware sets are increasingly sought after by collectors of antique toys, miniature kitchenware, European enamelware, and folk-decorated pieces.
Details:
* Antique German child’s cup and saucer
* Genuine vintage enamelware / enameled metal construction
* Marked MADE IN GERMANY
* Light sky-blue enamel finish
* White rim detailing
* Dutch / European folk-style pictorial decoration
* Cup diameter: approximately 3 inches
* Cup height: approximately 2 inches
* Saucer diameter: approximately 5 inches
* Total weight: approximately 5.1 oz / 145 g
* Includes 1 cup and 1 matching saucer
* Estimated period: approximately 1920s–1940s
Condition:
This is a genuine antique piece and shows visible wear consistent with age and use.
The cup has a significant area of enamel loss/chipping on the underside, exposing the darker metal beneath. There is also age-related enamel wear around the rim, including small chips, surface crazing / fine age lines, discoloration, and additional signs of wear. Some wear is also visible around the handle.
The saucer shows surface wear, small marks, minor enamel losses, and other age-related imperfections.
These signs of age contribute to the authentic antique character of the set. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they show the exact condition and are considered an important part of the description.
Because of its age and areas of enamel loss, this set is recommended primarily as a collectible or display piece rather than for food or beverage use.
A rare and charming survivor of early German children’s enamelware, with an especially attractive folk-art motif and wonderful aged character. An excellent addition to a collection of antique German toys, miniature tea sets, early enamelware, European folk collectibles, or vintage kitchen display pieces.
