Pickard Holly Cup and Saucer Set Footed

This is a wonderfully crafted Footed Cup And Saucer Set in the Holly pattern by Pickard China. It's beautifully and delicately hand decorated with Green Holly, Red Berries accentuated by Gold trim . These pieces measure approximately as follows: Cup - 3 1/16" high x 4 1/2" Spout to Handle, Saucer - 6" in diameter. The set is in excellent condition. This pattern was manufactured between 1978-1982 and has been discontinued.


Pickard China was established in Edgerton, Wisconsin in 1893 by Wilder Austin Pickard, then moved to Chicago in 1897. For about forty years the Pickard China Studio, as the firm was then known, was a decorating company specializing in hand painted art pieces, dessert and tea sets. Many of the original artists were from the Art Institute of Chicago. The staff was increased by renowned ceramic artists from all the countries of Europe. Since most of the china was manufactured abroad at the time, the Pickard studios imported blank ware to be decorated.

When Wilder's son Austin entered the business, he longed for the day that Pickard would no longer be dependent upon outside sources. He dreamed of manufacturing in Illinois as fine a china as could be found anywhere in the world. In 1930 he began experimenting which took seven years before the secret Pickard formula was developed, a delicate blend of many different clays and minerals considered worthy to bear Pickard's proud new lion trademark. Further experiments produced a formula for glaze that is considered by many experts as the finest in the industry.

Today Pickard china ranks among the finest in the world, highly noted for its graceful shapes and beautiful decorations. It has the feel of lightness and delicacy, while maintaining unusual strength. Its glaze is of remarkable brilliance and hardness.