Gilt-Edged Porcelain Tableware Set

Fine white porcelain with a repeating patterned border and a gilded rim, made up into sets of three, four, five or seven pieces depending on what is needed. Between them the sets cover rice and soup bowls, a soup spoon, a tea cup and a saucer, so a single place setting can be built or an existing set of plainer china dressed up for a table.

The pattern is applied over the glaze and the gold is laid on the rim by hand, which is why no two rims are quite identical under close light. Against a plain linen cloth the border reads as detail rather than decoration; on a darker table the gilding does most of the work. Five configurations are offered so the set can be matched to the number of covers.

The gold rim means these should not go in a microwave under any circumstances, and hand washing is strongly recommended — a dishwasher will dull and eventually lift the gilding within a season of regular use. Warm water and a soft cloth is all that is needed. Stack with a cloth or a felt pad between pieces to protect the rims in a cupboard, and avoid sliding one bowl inside another, which is how a gilded edge usually gets its first scratch.

• Fine white porcelain with gilded rims
• Sets of three, four, five or seven pieces
• Includes bowls, soup spoon, tea cup and saucer
• Hand-applied gold rim detail
• Not microwave safe
• Hand wash only - dishwasher will damage the gilding