A china whistling cup and saucer, c.1900, in cream glaze decorated with painted floral design and gilt trim, with the words "From the People's Stores / Bodmin" in Gothic-style gilt lettering to the saucer. The handle of the cup is in the shape of a horn, and incorporates a whistle which emits a high-pitched note. The cup measures approximately 7.9cm in diameter at the top and 7.2cm tall, whilst the saucer is approximately 15cm in diameter and 2.5cm deep. This is not a good quality piece: the painted decoration is poorly executed, and there are some small unglazed patches to the upper surface and edge of the saucer, together with cracking around the join between the cup and its handle (mostly under the glaze), and other small manufacturing irregularities including pinholes in the glaze. Furthermore, the saucer is broken and has been poorly glued back together (minus the odd tiny piece), whilst there are a few nibbles and fleabites to the feet of both cup and saucer, together with wear to the decoration and gilt. However, this remains an unusual piece with significant historic interest, and is offered for sale as such - it would otherwise have joined the rubbish pile long ago!
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