This white ironstone cup and saucer set is decorated with a copper lustre tea leaf in the center and on one side. Includes a cup, saucer, soup plate, and plate.

Composed of iron slag ground in water to a powder and mixed with ground flint, fieldspar, and other ingredients. Popular during the 19th century. Inexpensive, strong, non-crazing, and non-staining. Took a smooth white glaze which could be decorated. A favorite was the tea-leaf pattern (after 1880), with copper lustre decorations of a band and sprig.