Tea Leaf

Empress Shape features a squatty ribbed body style. It was produced by the Adams pottery during the mid-20th century Tea Leaf revival. Technically, it is not a reproduction since it does not resemble any 19th century body style. It was often marked with the word "Micratex."

Embossed arrowhead shapes located near the rims of both holloware and flatware pieces attest to the origin of the name of this early body style. Even the ring finial is embelished with an arrowhead.

Registered in 1858.

Holloware pieces are six-sided with distinctive sunburst finials. Shapes on some serving pieces have scalloped feet while the tea service items have plain bases.

This is the same blank as Hanging Leaves but with added embossing of fuchsia leaves which cover the entire body of the holloware pieces. This blank is so heavily embossed, the decorators had difficulty finding an appropriate place to paint the Tea Leaf. Even plate rims and cup sides are adorned with embossed leaf and flower sprigs.

To date, only bath pieces have been found in Cattail. It features an oblong body style adorned with cattail like lines eminating from the handle terminals. 

This small, squatty style features a bulbous pear-shaped body. Covered pieces are topped with an elegant round finial; tea service pieces have huge "C" shaped handles which appear to be out of proportion with the small body.

Storybook dolphins grace the handles and finials of this basic square style with fluted corners. Why Mr. Edwards chose the name "Victory Shape" is not known. This style is one of the most collectible of the animal-feature shapes so popular in the 1880s.

NOTE: The word "Victory" is found impressed separately from the Edwards plume backstamp. It does not include the word "shape". Registered 1884.