Today, we’re traveling downstairs to the den where we’ll find some more egg cups. They are very special and just might be my favorites. They are displayed on a charming shelf/whatnot that I found in a little antique store many years ago.
Top Shelf:
1. This Humpty Dumpty is made by Mansell in Great Britain. I had my eye on this little fella for a while and managed to snag it on eBay. The hand-painted egg is from Prague.
2. Oh, be still my heart. I rarely, if ever, see this one nowadays and, let me tell you, the minute I saw it, I had to have it. Another crazy middle-of-the-night bidding war on eBay many years ago resulted in it coming home to Mockingbird Hill Cottage. The Bunny as Painter, painting a face on an egg. Marked Japan.
Middle shelf:
1. Another gem. The head comes off and is a salt shaker or salter. The bottom half, from the neck down, is the egg cup. This one is rather large and a couple of years ago, I saw a pair of them for sale. That’s when I realized that they were originally sold as salt and pepper shakers. The details, the sweet face with the smile and the rosy cheeks – sigh. Love it. Marked Ardalt 6343/Occupied Japan.
2. Oh my goodness. Another one that stole my heart. A pig getting ready to dine on an egg. Same story. Had to have it. This was made for Tiffany by Elizabethan Staffordshire in England.
Bottom Shelf:
1. Definitely worth the most of any of my egg cups, this Doc egg cup is part of a set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs egg cups that were made for Walt Disney Enterprises in the late thirties. They are not easy to find (Snow White herself is almost impossible to find and when she shows up somewhere she goes for a lot of money.) Obviously, I’d love to have them all but for now, little Doc lives here at the Cottage. Marked ©1937, W. D. Ent. Made in Japan.
2. A little boy/cowboy. I lost track of him recently and then discovered him under the bed (our old bed) upstairs, where he had rolled after falling to the floor as a result of an unfortunate incident involving the collision of my head with the egg cup shelves. See Tuesday’s post for that story. He’s back and I love him. A reader mentioned that she thought he wasn’t a cowboy but an English character. Nope. He’s a cowboy. I have a reference/pricing book that I use and he’s definitely a little boy/cowboy. I’ve also seen the same description on several other reference sites. Love the legs sticking out. Marked Japan.
3. Though this little cherub-like clown is holding an egg, this is actually a toothpick holder. But I love it so much that I include it with my egg cups. Wouldn’t you? Marked Japan.
Tomorrow I’ll share egg cups that aren’t found on a official ‘eggcup shelf’ but are on display in various parts of the house.
By the way, I use this book, which is a treasure trove of information. It’s out of print but I regularly see it listed on eBay. If you’re at all interested in this genre of collecting, this book is a must have. There’s Snow White on the cover. I want her. Sigh.
It’s cold here in the Northeast, but it’s sunny, thank goodness. More work outside today. Don, who usually isn’t at all into that sort of thing, is on a roll. He likes being busy outside and I’m going to take advantage of it while I can.
Happy Thursday.
No kidding, this is some serious egg cup collecting!! They’re so cute, who could resist them!
Impossible to resist, my friend!
Hi Claudia, I think “piggy” is my favorite (I’ve always loved pigs), though I do really like the bunny as an artist. They are just all so clever. Fun to see them all together.
This is my favorite group, Vera.
hahahahaha I’m not awake yet – I thought the one read “DOG”, instead of Doc … which seemed a bit odd but always a word dear to this dog lover LOL. How wonderful to have one of the Snow White set, Claudia.
What a fun group this is, full of whimsy! I think the bunny painting is my fave …
Happy Thursday!
I love, love the bunny painting the egg – so whimsical and clever!
What a perfect time of year to share your egg cups. They are amazing and you have a wonderful collection, Claudia. xo Diana
Thanks so much, Diana!
They are all so adorable…I can see why you collect! Doc has completely stolen my heart…’course I’ve always had a little soft spot for those little guys! Enjoy your work outside day…hope you get a lot done! ;)
I love Doc – I want them all someday, Donna!
Each day your collection has shown us more precious ones than we saw the previous day! The bunny painting the egg is precious. Love the Doc, too. Wouldn’t it be fun to have the entire Snow White group on a special shelf?
Still cold here, and, sadly, we awoke to snow 2 mornings this week. I think I am officially over Spring, and awaiting summer so we can finally warm up. Have fun working out in the yard! Does sweet Scout watch from the window??
She does – she hops up on the loveseat and watches us – then she gets bored and sleeps.
More egg cups – I’m lovin’ it. The one that does double duty as a salt shaker is the cutest. Something tells me a woman must have designed that one. Sunny and low 50s here in Rochester too. Looks like the same for Easter, and we are due for a nice Easter since we often have chilly rain or wet snow. Have a great day, Claudia…
Thank goodness Easter is supposed to be a nice day – we all deserve it after this past winter!
I can understand why you are smitten with these1 You have an awesome collection and display them thoughtfully and lovingly. I think the lovely shelf is perfect!
That little shelf is one of my favorite things, Beth!
They are all so cute and I love the bunny painting the egg! I want and NEED that egg cup book. I’ll keep an eye out for it on Ebay!
hugs, Linda
You’ll really love the book, Linda!
These are all so whimsical..which is something I love..also that is my favorite little whatnot shelf of yours..
Whimsy is my middle name, Nancy!
Never in my whole life have I seen so many egg cups!! I had no idea they even existed in this array of artistry and whimsy – what a fun collection. I am still laughing (in a nice way!) at the idea of you, pyjama clad and delirious with egg cup love engaging in a late night eBay biding war :)
Too old to do that sort of thing now, Norma! Or maybe not….
Claudia, You make egg cups look so adorable. I could start collecting them right now, however I’ll just enjoy the beauty of your collection Thanks for sharing. Annie
I have really enjoyed seeing all of your vintage egg cups. I have a few but hope to collect more. I am getting ready to have a sale tomorrow at Brenda’s old house for the items she didn’t take with her on the move. Sure be glad when it is over. But, she seems in a much happier place.
Take care and let that Don do all he wants to do. LOL I’m sure he’s so glad to be home where he can help.
Judy