An absolutely gorgeous set of vintage double-handled bouillon cups and saucers produced in the early 1900s by England's noble Copeland China Company exclusively for Chicago's long-shuttered Burley & Co. tabletop store. With a pretty, scalloped silhouette, the cups and saucers are decorated with bands of delicate floral garlands and rims glazed the prettiest shade of blue-green. Hand-painted gold details dress each piece with an elegance of a bygone era.

Traditionally used for serving a consommé, these charming double-handled cups are also ideal when serving smaller portions of cream soups. They are sure to bring their rich, timeless beauty to your tablescape.

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Hand wash only to preserve their excellent vintage condition. Circa Early 1900s. Bouillon Cup measures 5.25" in diameter x 2"H. Saucer measures 5.5" in diameter.

Learn More About Burley & Co.

Established as a tabletop store in downtown Chicago in 1838, Burley & Co. would eventually grow to include a china decorating studio and a department store. This family-owned business was successful for a number of years and even included a "hotel department" that sold china to hotels and railroads in the late 1800s. 

After nearly a century in business and supplying some of the finest wares available, Burley & Co. closed its doors in 1923 when it was sold to a competing hotel supply company, Albert Pick & Co.

Learn More About Copeland

The history of Copeland China is inextricably linked, and can not be fully told, without first going back to the very beginnings of Spode China. Spode China was started in the mid-1700s by Josiah Spode I, who became a visionary in business and in tableware and whose company would eventually become "one of the greatest names of the Industrial Revolution".

Below is a timeline giving the highlights of both Spode and Copeland China and how those to names became forever linked:

1776    Master potter Josiah Spode I purchased his own factory in Stoke-on-Trent

1779   Spode opens a London warehouse for the sale of glassware, as well as his own and other makers’ ceramics. Josiah Spode II, his son, is put in charge.

1784   Josiah Spode I perfected underglaze blue printing on earthenware. William Copeland, the son of a farmer, joins the young Spode in London.

1797   Death of Josiah Spode I. Josiah Spode II inherits and his eldest son, William Spode, becomes co-manager of the London business with William Copeland.

1800   First production of bone china

1805   Josiah Spode II relinquishes the London business entirely to his son and William Copeland, who become co-partners.

1806   Following a factory visit, the Prince of Wales (the future King George IV) appoints Josiah Spode II “Potter and English Porcelain Manufacturer to His Royal Highness."

1811  William Spode retires from the London business to his estate in the countryside, and transfers his entire share to William Copeland. Spode II becomes partner with William Copeland, who retains three-quarters of the London business.

1824  William Copeland’s son, William Taylor, is admitted to the London partnership with a gift to him from his father of a quarter share

1826  William Copeland dies and his half share of the London business is taken up equally by his son and by Josiah Spode II, making them equal partners.

1827  Josiah Spode II dies. His son, Josiah Spode III, takes over the Stoke on Trent manufactory, and equal partnership of the London business with W.T. Copeland

1829  Josiah Spode III dies and W.T. Copeland assumes management of the business.

1833   W.T. Copeland and his new partner William Garrett acquire complete control of the London business and the factory at Stoke on Trent. Products are marked ‘Copeland & Garrett’ but at least two backstamps also use the words ‘Late Spode.’

1847  The partnership with Garrett is dissolved and the business trades as W.T. Copeland. During the long Copeland family ownership, many backstamps still refer to ‘Spode’ or ‘Late Spode.’

1866  Copeland is appointed china and glass manufacturer to the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII).

1867  W.T. Copeland takes his sons into partnership and the company name changes to W.T. Copeland and Sons.

1966  The Copeland family sell the business to the Carborundum company of the United States.

1970   The Spode name is reinstated.

* Spode Copeland Timeline courtesy of Cotswold Antiques