Simply elegant Black Rim Teacup and Saucer by Thomas Germany featuring a yellow-orange Rose. A lifelike apricot-yellow rose, just beginning to unfurl from bud form, stretches across the front of the cup on a stem with a trio of green leaves. A smaller, lighter green leaf backs the blossom. A matching golden rose is on the white interior rim of the teacup. The saucer has a matching apricot rose in the cup well. Both the outside of the cup and the wide rim of the scalloped saucer are finished in high-gloss black. The edges of both pieces and the center of the saucer are gold trimmed, and the teacup white foot and handle are also gold-lined.

The teacup is 3-7/8 inches in diameter and 2-1/4 inches deep, add an inch for the handle. The matching saucer is 5-3/4 inches in diameter.

Made by Thomas Germany sometime between 1908 and 1939, before they were absorbed by Rosenthal, the backstamp is the Thomas Shield followed by Germany and topped with “Thomas” arched over the shield with three dots.

At first glance, this set appears to be free of wear, but a closer inspection in bright light shows some spotty places of iridescence or lack of shine in the black on the cup. This may have been caused by strong detergent and is not readily apparent. By contrast, any wear on the gold is minimal, and the yellow rose is clear and bright in all three places. The white lines in the photos are reflection or dust, any surface scratches or utensil marks are nearly invisible. The condition is reflected in the price.