Holy Pocillovy! Collecting Antique Egg Cups
So, What in the World is Pocillovy?
(Information courtesy of reviews.ebay.com)
Pocillovy comes from the Latin pocillum ovi meaning "a small cup for an egg". Pocillovy is the collecting of these cups.
What are they used for?
Egg cups are used extensively in European countries as a serving dish for soft boiled eggs eaten for breakfast. The egg in its shell is placed in the cup, then the diner gently breaks the shell around the tip of the egg, removes it, then scoops out the tender egg with a special egg eating spoon. There are also special slicers that will remove the top of the shell with less of it getting into the egg!
What if I don't eat eggs?
Egg cups can be used for many purposes besides the one intended. For instance, they can be used at the table during dinner parties for a variety of purposes:
-Individual mini vases
-Candle holders
-Salt wells
-After dinner mint or nut cups
Children would also love having their Easter Egg creations elevated by display in an elegant egg cup!
Why do people collect them?
Like much kitchen ware, egg cups are highly collectible because they are:
-Useful
-Small (easy to bring home from travels, and to display many of them)
-Thematic (Chicks, Disney Characters, Pigs, etc)
-Some marked by top artists
-Colorful
-Affordable
-Made of a variety of materials: wood, pottery, milk glass, china, silver, etc
-Sure to go up in value
The History of Antique Egg Cups
(courtesy of http://powayhistoricalsociety.org and reviews.ebay.com)
The earliest recorded images of egg cups appear in a Turkish mosaic dating from 3AD and examples were found among the ruins of Pompeii from 79AD. Undoubtedly wooden egg cups were made before silver ones but are extremely difficult to date.
Throughout the 18th and into the 19th century, pottery and porcelain egg cups only featured as part of a dinner service and they would have been of a matching style, colour and pattern. During the 19th century, egg cups were produced in their own right as individual pieces of chinaware. Most egg cups did not have a maker's mark on the bottom, so it helps to look out for larger pieces in the same pattern so as to identify the maker and to give an idea of the date.
Silver egg cups, made in the 19th century were often gilded inside. This was to prevent the sulphur from the egg staining the silver. Some say that it affects the flavour. At this time 'egg' spoons tended to be made of horn, ivory or bone, these are now avidly collected.
In France, Louis XV helped to boost the popularity of egg cups. People would buy an egg cup to try and emulate their king. He was reported to be able to 'decapitate an egg at a single stroke'.
The earliest examples of Victorian egg cups often come in sets of four, six or even twelve pieces on a matching tray. Breakfasts had become gastronomic feasts by this time. Families of 10+ were commonplace.
Between the wars, 'Art Deco' exploded onto the scene with such names as Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper being very much in vogue. Their new ideas in patterns, design and colour struck with many people's imaginations.
The couble egg cup became very popular in the 1930's. The smaller end was used to serve the egg chopped, mixed with salt and pepper and eaten with a spoon or fork.
Also popular around this time was a style known as Devon 'motto ware'. These cups usually have a motif of a cottage, crowing cockerel or a seagull with sayings such as 'fresh today' or 'waste not want not'.
Not surprisingly, vast quantities of egg cups were made to appeal to young children, to encourage them to eat more eggs. Egg cups were decorated with pictures of favourite characters from childrens's books, cartoon films and comic strips. Characters such as Felix the Cat, Bonzo and Mickey Mouse became very popular. Later came Muffin the Mule, Sooty and The Muppets to name but a few. There has even been a set of Teletubbies egg cups produced!
Wooden egg cups make an interesting collection and again many hundreds have been made over the years. In fact some of the earliest egg cups were made of wood. Many different type of wood have been used to make egg cups; maple, pine, rosewood, mahogany, olive wood, fruit woods, oak, birch, ash, walnut, the list goes on. Modern egg cups that we see today are factory made and very inexpensive, however collectors tend to look out for the older, more unusual pieces.
Most pottery firms, large or small, have a range of egg cups in their pattern books. Some had short production runs and some were made for many years. The Willow pattern has been in use by a variety of makers since the first decade of the 19th century, and Spode have had the Italian pattern in continuous production since its introduction in 1816.
The egg cup has to be one of the world's simplest and most successful ideas. They have been produced for centuries in countless 1000's but they have only really become 'collectable' during the past few decades.
How to Properly Use your Egg Cups
Check out this website to learn out to properly eat an egg using your antique egg cup!
* http://www.factsfacts.com/EggCups/EggCups.htm
Where to Buy Eggs Cups
Here are a few websites to help you grow your antique egg cup collection! Pocillovy purchasing time!
*
Google Products: http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=buy+antique+egg+cups&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=lSrTS-NFkNjxBICS0MMP&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg
*
Etsy.com: http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=egg+cups&search_type=vintage&ref=auto
*
eBay.com: http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Vintage+Egg+Cup
*
Ruby Lane: http://search.rubylane.com/collectibles/,id=41.6.html
*
TIAS.com: http://www.tias.com/showcase/1/Kitchen_Collectibles/Egg_Cups/1.html
Don’t forget to check out iTaggit member daltounian2007’s extensive 20 year egg cup collection by clicking HERE!
Pocillovy Price Guide
| Title |
Bids |
Start Price |
End Price |
Start Date |
End Date |
| ANTIQUE MAJOLICA SARREGUEMINES MONKEY EGG CUP very RARE |
2 |
$180.00 |
$185.50 |
4/8/10 |
4/15/10 |
| ANTIQUE MAJOLICA SARREGUEMINES CAMEL EGG CUP RARE!! |
1 |
$180.00 |
$180.00 |
4/8/10 |
4/15/10 |
| ADORABLE rare antique Arts & Crafts EGG CUP, hallmarked |
3 |
$84.99 |
$94.88 |
3/15/10 |
3/22/10 |
| Antique Childs Clown Breakfast Set Egg Cup Salt Shaker |
16 |
$8.00 |
$81.00 |
3/16/10 |
3/23/10 |
| Antique Child's Clown Breakfast Set Egg Cup Salt Shaker |
8 |
$8.99 |
$56.55 |
4/2/10 |
4/9/10 |
| Antique Childs Clown Breakfast Set Egg Cup Shaker # 2 |
10 |
$8.00 |
$51.10 |
3/24/10 |
3/31/10 |
| Antique Shelley Bone China Single Egg Cup Brown Birds |
6 |
$7.99 |
$49.96 |
3/16/10 |
3/23/10 |
| ANTIQUE T&V LIMOGES EASTER CHICK EGG CUP Signed |
4 |
$29.99 |
$40.99 |
4/3/10 |
4/8/10 |
| ANTIQUE 19thC CHINESE BLUE & WHITE CANTON EGG CUP |
3 |
$9.99 |
$31.00 |
3/18/10 |
3/28/10 |
| ANTIQUE 900 STERLING SILVER MINIATURE FOOTED EGG CUP NR |
4 |
$9.99 |
$31.00 |
3/12/10 |
3/22/10 |
| ANTIQUE EAPG ZIPPER EGG CUP TOOTHPICK HOLDER Ruby Flash |
4 |
$9.99 |
$26.00 |
3/20/10 |
3/27/10 |
| ANTIQUE SILVER EGG CUP SET LOT COLLECTION 4PC STERLING? |
7 |
$9.99 |
$25.00 |
3/25/10 |
4/1/10 |
| ANTIQUE ROYAL COPENHAGEN PORCELAIN EGG CUP D 1894-1900 |
1 |
$24.00 |
$24.00 |
3/23/10 |
3/30/10 |
| ANTIQUE ROSEVILLE JUVENILE POTTERY "RABBIT" EGG CUP |
5 |
$9.95 |
$22.50 |
4/7/10 |
4/14/10 |
| Set (2) Antique Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz Egg Cup |
2 |
$19.95 |
$22.03 |
3/28/10 |
4/4/10 |
| UNUSUAL ANTIQUE TIN GLAZE MAJOLICA EGG CUP POT |
4 |
$9.99 |
$20.50 |
4/6/10 |
4/13/10 |
| Antique A&J
Glass Egg Beater Hand Mixer Measuring CUP! |
2 |
$12.99 |
$19.48 |
3/16/10 |
3/23/10 |
| **Antique Silverplate EGG CUP Easter Chick on Wishbone* |
4 |
$9.95 |
$17.38 |
3/18/10 |
3/25/10 |
| Antique Flow Blue Bird Egg Cup Porcelain China PRETTY |
3 |
$9.99 |
$14.49 |
3/15/10 |
3/22/10 |
| ANTIQUE TEA CUP & SAUCER EGG SHELL |
1 |
$12.99 |
$12.99 |
3/18/10 |
3/25/10 |
| 3 Antique SILVERPLATE EGG CUP SALT CELLAR WINE SEM Lot |
2 |
$8.88 |
$11.84 |
3/24/10 |
3/29/10 |
| Rare Antique Floral Egg Cup Beyer & Bock pottery |
6 |
$0.99 |
$10.50 |
4/7/10 |
4/14/10 |
| Antique HP Wide-eyed Chick with Shell Egg Cup 1920's |
2 |
$9.99 |
$10.50 |
3/22/10 |
3/29/10 |
| Ornate Antique Egg Cup electroplated nickel silver |
5 |
$4.99 |
$10.49 |
4/4/10 |
4/11/10 |
| FLINT BELLFLOWER EGG CUP ANTIQUE GLASS NICE!! |
2 |
$9.95 |
$10.45 |
3/26/10 |
3/31/10 |
| CUTE ANTIQUE WESTMORELAND MILK GLASS CHICK EGG CUP LOOK |
1 |
$14.95 |
$10.00 |
2/10/10 |
4/3/10 |
| Vintage German 4PC Child Egg Cup & Plate Antique Set |
2 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
4/7/10 |
4/14/10 |
| Antique White Metal Spelter Egg Cup Chick Wishbone |
1 |
$9.99 |
$9.99 |
3/11/10 |
3/18/10 |
| Antique victorian egg cup with Feeding chicken Gold rim |
5 |
$0.99 |
$9.05 |
3/12/10 |
3/19/10 |
| Antique Early Limoges France Rare Egg Cup w/Gold NR |
8 |
$0.99 |
$8.50 |
3/26/10 |
3/29/10 |
| Lovely Antique English EGG CUP |
1 |
$8.00 |
$8.00 |
3/26/10 |
4/2/10 |
| ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SILVERPLATE EASTER EGG CUP ROGERS |
3 |
$4.99 |
$6.76 |
3/20/10 |
3/27/10 |
| ? NICE ANTIQUE TURNED WOOD EGG CUP ? |
4 |
$1.00 |
$6.49 |
3/16/10 |
3/23/10 |
| 2 Antique CHICKEN Egg Cup~OPALEX Milk Glass~Made FRANCE |
1 |
$6.00 |
$6.00 |
3/14/10 |
3/21/10 |
| Antique Double Egg Cup-bright flowers-hand painted |
1 |
$5.99 |
$5.99 |
3/23/10 |
3/28/10 |
| ANTIQUE DOUBLE EGG CUP HEAVY ORNATE GOLD BAND |
1 |
$4.00 |
$4.00 |
3/27/10 |
4/3/10 |
| Inarco Japan Egg Cup Footed Daisy Vase Planter Antique |
1 |
$2.99 |
$2.99 |
3/15/10 |
4/10/10 |
| ANTIQUE CERAMIC ROOSTER EGG CUP W/ SPOON |
1 |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
3/18/10 |
3/25/10 |
| Antique White Porcelain Egg Cup |
1 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
4/4/10 |
4/11/10 |
| Antique Walker & Hall Silverplate Egg Cup Holder Set |
0 |
$175.00 |
$0.00 |
4/4/10 |
4/11/10 |
| antique egg cup art pottery baby duck fannie farmer SEE |
0 |
$24.99 |
$0.00 |
11/13/09 |
3/23/10 |
| antique egg cup art pottery baby duck fannie farmer SEE |
0 |
$24.99 |
$0.00 |
3/30/10 |
4/6/10 |
| Antique Unmarked Hand Painted Roses Egg Shaped Cup Vase |
0 |
$14.99 |
$0.00 |
2/28/10 |
3/30/10 |
| * Antique Syracuse China Egg/Custard/Tea/Soup Cup *GC* |
0 |
$12.99 |
$0.00 |
11/13/09 |
4/6/10 |
| Antique Vintage Noritake China HP Floral Egg Cup! |
0 |
$9.99 |
$0.00 |
3/1/10 |
3/31/10 |
| ANTIQUE LITHOPHANE JAPANESE EGG SHELL CHINA CUP SAUCER |
0 |
$24.99 |
$0.00 |
3/14/10 |
3/21/10 |
| ANTIQUE T&V LIMOGES EASTER CHICK EGG CUP Signed |
0 |
$39.99 |
$0.00 |
3/28/10 |
4/2/10 |
| CHARMING ANTIQUE MAJOLICA POTTERY EGG CUP CIRCA 1870s |
0 |
$24.00 |
$0.00 |
3/23/10 |
3/30/10 |
| CHARMING ANTIQUE MAJOLICA POTTERY EGG CUP CIRCA 1870s |
0 |
$18.00 |
$0.00 |
4/1/10 |
4/8/10 |
| CHARMING ANTIQUE PORCELAIN POTTERY EGG CUP CIRCA 1890s |
0 |
$18.00 |
$0.00 |
4/2/10 |
4/9/10 |
| CHARMING ANTIQUE MAJOLICA POTTERY EGG CUP CIRCA 1870s |
0 |
$18.00 |
$0.00 |
4/9/10 |
4/16/10 |
| ANTIQUE SYRACUSE CHINA
EGG CODDLER CUP pat. 1894
N.R. |
0 |
$9.99 |
$0.00 |
3/31/10 |
4/5/10 |
| ANTIQUE MAJOLICA SARREGUEMINES PEACOCK EGG CUP RARE!! |
0 |
$180.00 |
$0.00 |
4/8/10 |
4/15/10 |
| ANTIQUE TEA CUP & SAUCER EGG SHELL |
0 |
$12.99 |
$0.00 |
3/11/10 |
3/18/10 |
| Antique Ironstone Vista Egg Cup |
0 |
$14.99 |
$0.00 |
3/14/10 |
3/21/10 |
| VICTORIAN ANTIQUE EGG CUP CHINA ? COLLECTABLE GOLD TRIM |
0 |
$1.99 |
$0.00 |
3/15/10 |
3/22/10 |
| ANTIQUE SYRACUSE CHINA EGG CODDLER CUP pat. 1894 N.R. |
0 |
$6.99 |
$0.00 |
4/5/10 |
4/10/10 |
| antique pressed glass egg cups or custard cup |
0 |
$4.00 |
$0.00 |
4/8/10 |
4/15/10 |
| Antique China Double Egg Cup-bright flowers-hand paint |
0 |
$5.99 |
$0.00 |
3/16/10 |
3/21/10 |
| Antique Staffordshire Double Egg Cup plus one free NR |
0 |
$2.99 |
$0.00 |
3/11/10 |
3/18/10 |
| Antique Egg Cup Pink Little Chicks Vintage 1950s Easter |
0 |
$4.99 |
$0.00 |
3/29/10 |
4/5/10 |
| EAPG Antique Magnet/ Grape Pattern Egg Cup -Adams Glass |
0 |
$3.95 |
$0.00 |
3/29/10 |
4/5/10 |
| CHINA ANTIQUE SILVER EGG CUP CANTON c.1830 MARKED
"CC" |
0 |
$49.99 |
$0.00 |
3/25/10 |
4/4/10 |
| FLINT BELLFLOWER EGG CUP ANTIQUE GLASS NICE!! |
0 |
$9.95 |
$0.00 |
3/21/10 |
3/26/10 |
| ANTIQUE PINK PORCELAIN EGG CUP 2.5" TALL |
0 |
$5.00 |
$0.00 |
3/15/10 |
3/22/10 |
| ANTIQUE PINK PORCELAIN EGG CUP 2.5" TALL |
0 |
$5.00 |
$0.00 |
3/24/10 |
3/31/10 |
| ANTIQUE MEISSEN BLUE ONION EGG CUP X SWORD ~PERFECT~ |
0 |
$75.00 |
$0.00 |
4/5/10 |
4/12/10 |
| antique egg cup art pottery baby duck fannie farmer SEE |
0 |
$24.99 |
$0.00 |
3/23/10 |
3/30/10 |
| Antique OPAL GLASS Footed Covered Egg Cup or JAR ENAMEL |
0 |
$9.99 |
$0.00 |
3/22/10 |
3/29/10 |
| Antique Deco Egg Beater Glass 2 Cup Measuring Jar AD PC |
0 |
$9.99 |
$0.00 |
3/29/10 |
4/1/10 |
| Nice Old Antique Blue & White Transferware EGG CUP |
0 |
$9.95 |
$0.00 |
3/29/10 |
4/5/10 |
| CHARMING ANTIQUE PORCELAIN POTTERY EGG CUP CIRCA 1890s |
0 |
$18.00 |
$0.00 |
4/2/10 |
4/9/10 |
| ANTIQUE TEA CUP & SAUCER HAND PAINT ROBBINS EGG BLUE |
0 |
$24.95 |
$0.00 |
3/12/10 |
3/19/10 |
| ANTIQUE TEA CUP & SAUCER HAND PAINT ROBBINS EGG BLUE |
0 |
$24.95 |
$0.00 |
3/22/10 |
3/29/10 |
