Black ink botanicals — peony, lily of the valley or tulip — drawn across cream ceramic, with the rim darkened and deliberately worn. That rough chocolate edge is applied on purpose, not a chip, and it's what keeps the set from looking new.

At 200 ml this is a cappuccino cup rather than a mug of tea. The cup measures about 8.5 cm across plus a 3 cm handle and stands 6.7 cm tall; the saucer is 14 cm across. The edges are slightly irregular, so a row of them on an open shelf reads as gathered rather than bought as a set.

Good for a morning flat white, an afternoon cup, or a small gift for someone who reads or gardens.

Note: hand-washing keeps the printed detail sharp for longer.