A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Antique Staffordshire and English Rock Cakes

Hello my dear friends and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! I am so glad you have joined me!



Today my cup and saucer is similar to some I've shared before, but a new version I found in England recently. I love antique Staffordshire white ironstone in the Chelsea, Grandmother's or Sprig patterns that were most popular in the mid Victorian period, 1850-1880s.






This particular teacup is unmarked, and is actually a rare pattern. The most usual Chelsea patterns had grapes, swags or regular flower baskets of applied blue on white patterns, many touched with an over painting of copper luster. This unusual pattern had a cornucopia flower basket, and is the only of that pattern I have seen in 30 years in the china business. I just love it! Here are examples of the more usual patterns I see:





Wonderful stuff! The pattern was made by various potters and remained popular through the 1930s. The last example seems to have been produced in the 1950s.  I just love it! The photos above are from my archives. The teacup is available at Antiques And Teacups.

On a note of caution: I just found out be accident that all of my posts, photos etc are being pirated and used on a malware site. If you see a link to anything in a search engine for something that sounds like my post, or Tuesday Cuppa Tea, make sure it come to this blog, Antiques And Teacups ONLY!  It has been reported to Blogger. I am TICKED!

Okay, now on the better things!  I made a favorite tea time treat, but dairy free of course. Have you ever had an English Rock Cake? If you have had a drop scone (as opposed to a shaped , cut or wedge scone with dried fruit of rainsins, then you probably have, and didn't know it!



Here they are on the silicone baking sheet, and here are the finished Rock Cakes. They were named that because the fruit pieces make the shape and texture ineven and so...look like a rock!




Here is the recipe. They are a family favorite and this is a family recipe, and go together quickly:

English Rock Cakes

2 1/4 cup self-rising flour  (if you don't have self rising flour, use 2 cups all purpose + 3 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine (I use vegan)
1 egg
2/3 cup mixed dried fruit OR dark & golden raisins
1 tbs milk (or soy milk)

In a large bowl, cut in the margarine into the flour (or flour mixture with baking powder and salt) with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the sugar and dried fruit or raisins. Beat the egg and milk and stir into the flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Spoon the mixture by round shaped heaps onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!

So glad you could join me today! I am joining the following blogs...and lots more. I hope you can visit them. They all have such wonderful stories to tell and share!   Also...the linky is there for you to link your tea related posts. And comments are always so appreciated! Have a great week, and don't forget to have a cuppa tea with a friend!


Monday Marketplace
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday
Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday
Teatime Tuesday
Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness
Tea On Tuesday
Miss Kathy ~http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Tea       
Tea On Tuesday
Tea Tuesday
Tea On Tuesday
Poetry In A Pot Of Tea
Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday
What’s It Wednesday                                           
Home On Wednesday

18 comments:

  1. Good morning Ruth,
    Wow! It's not often I am the first one to link up. What a pretty teacup and so unique. I enjoyed the history on it too.
    Your dropped scones look delish! I have never made those but they remind me of a drop cookie.
    Thanks so much for sharing and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. Hi Ruth. That is scary that your blog has been pirated. I think I heard of another blog that happened to a while back. I don't really know all that it means but hope it gets fixed by blogger. Sometimes I wonder about the safety of Blogger these days but I guess it can happen to any of them. The teacup you featured is really beautiful and reminds me a bit of Wedgewood. But, I like the ruffled edge to the cup in this one and the soft blue. Very pretty! Have a great week Ruth. Pamela

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  3. Hi Ruth,
    I am sorry that your blogposts are pirated from someone. I found several of my photos on other blogs. After I reported that to blogger, they deleted All of the photos, including mine. So save all your blogposts for that case. Thats the reason why I publish only photos with my name. Your tea cup is really beautiful. I love those raised decor. I have seen such decorations (not the same!) first from Wedgwood. Always stunning. Thank you for sharing the beautiful cup and the yummy recipe. I hope, blogger will straighten out your problems with this pirat.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  4. I'm getting scared with this media pirates!! I don't know how tyo fix anything, I'm not your computer savvy kind, so I do hope blogger fixes it too. Stunning teacup, I love English porcelain; I just bought a gorgeous teapot, made in England, with vessels and English men arriving at shore! I'm so geedy with it! Thank you for hosting this lovely party. Have a nice week.
    FABBY

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  5. Unique teacup with a raised pattern and biscuits made any old way are my choice to have with tea.
    Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this pirating thing.
    Judith

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  6. I adore blue and white and this Staffordshire teacup is so elegant ... love the handle. Thank you for the recipe and for hosting. Happy Tea Day!

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  7. Hi Ruth!
    I love that teacup pattern and I saw a saucer at an Antique store for $18.00 and I thought it had the wrong price on it. No cup, just the saucer. I then found out that the pattern is pretty rare. Thank you for hosting.
    ~Clara

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  8. Hi Ruth,
    Your antique Staffordshire white ironstone is wonderful! Yay for you! How exciting that after all these years you have come across something you have been looking for. That is just great.
    I know you will cherish it and enjoy it too.
    Your rock cakes look totally delicious. I have had "scones" like this, just dropped down. They were delicious.
    Thank you so much for sharing, and for hosting. I am linking up today as I think I will be able to visit everyone.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  9. Oh, Ruth! I can almost smell those Rock Cakes. Yum! I've never seen a Chelsea pattern cup - so unique! WHat a lovely white ironstone set. Thanks for hosting. Have a great week :)
    Shawn

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  10. I was not aware of this pattern -- love the blue and white but then I love anything blue and white!

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  11. Hi Ruth. I love ironstone and love this little tea cup. Thank you for sharing the rock cakes recipe. It looks like one we will enjoy too. Don't you love no-fuss recipes? They make life so much easier. Have a lovely, lovely week; it's stating to really look feel spring in the Pacific Northwest, isn't it? :)

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  12. Oh, Ruth, I love this cup and saucer with applied decoration oif cornucopias. So elegant and with an antique look!
    I'm sorry about that pirating thing, one is never safe of this kind of malware on the internet...
    But back to pleasant things: Your treats for tea look delicious, thanks for the recipe!
    Hugs

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  13. so sorry to hear of that distressing acitivity, Ruth. let us know what blogger says ..

    love the teacup! has me curious now as I know I have at least one of that blue on wt design, but can't check til I get to my country home! don't want curiosity killing the cat :)
    thanks for hosting and sharing your treats!

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  14. This is quite unusual, but oh so pretty.

    So sorry to hear of the pirating.

    - The Tablescaper

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  15. Ruth, I hope blogger is able to sort things out. :( ... what a lovely you are sharing with us ... love the blue on white and the raised detail. YUM! may have to give this recipe a try. Blessings, C. (HHL)

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  16. I am so glad you found this out for us all - it is just disheartening - I know. But, I do believe we will win out and find ways to protect ourselves.
    Let's keep sharing as we always have and encourage one another - I do appreciate you,
    Kathy

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  17. I am so late to tea. I have been away visiting my grandchildren and am only just getting caught up on chores, and my passion for blogging.

    I found this post very interesting as I love blue & white china especially. I have never seen any china in these patterns. Lovely ! Also, the dairy free scone recipe will be very useful for me as our daughter is seriously lactose intolerant and I snatch up any recipes I know she'd enjoy.

    I am so sorry to read about the malware problem. This seems to be happening to quite a few bloggers, so your warning is worth remembering.

    Thank-you again for hosting this tea time, and I am looking forward to visiting the ladies who have linked with you. I always enjoy my virtual tea-times.

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  18. Wow, have not thought about rock cakes in years. I have copied the recipe, I can almost taste them.
    Thanks.....Janice

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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