A Curated Tea Service Celebrating European Ceramic Excellence
This thoughtfully assembled tea set brings together two celebrated European ceramic houses - Wedgwood's serene Summer Sky pattern from 1962 and Villeroy & Boch's whimsical Le Ballon design from the 1980s. United by their soft, dreamy palettes and vintage charm, this collection offers both beauty and functionality for afternoon tea, morning coffee, or elegant entertaining.
The pairing is both practical and aesthetic: the Wedgwood duos provide classic English elegance in a rare and sought-after pattern, while the Villeroy & Boch dish adds a touch of Continental whimsy and versatility. Together, they create a tea service that's perfect for intimate gatherings or solo moments of calm.
What's Included
Two Wedgwood Summer Sky Duos (1962)
- Pattern: Summer Sky from the "Of Etruria & Barlaston" line
- Production era: 1955-1972 (these pieces made in 1962)
- Design: Barlaston shape with distinctive dusty blue exterior, white interior and handle
- Weight: 235g each
- Perfect for tea or coffee service
- Rare pattern that's highly collectible among Wedgwood enthusiasts
The Summer Sky pattern showcases Wedgwood's mid-century modern aesthetic with its clean lines and sophisticated two-tone colourway. The soft dusty blue exterior creates a serene, calming presence, while the crisp white interior and handle provide elegant contrast. This pattern is increasingly difficult to find, particularly in excellent condition.
Villeroy & Boch Le Ballon Pickle Dish (1984-1988)
- Pattern: Le Ballon, designed by artist Jan Mercier
- Production: Limited run 1984-1988 (discontinued)
- Origin: Made in Luxembourg
- Dimensions: 15cm W × 26cm L
- Weight: 288g
- Material: Durable vitreous porcelain
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
The Le Ballon pattern features a charming scene of a vibrant hot air balloon floating over a picturesque landscape with spectators watching from clifftops. The whimsical illustration and soft colour palette make this piece both decorative and functional - perfect for sweet treats, savoury snacks, biscuits, petit fours, or as a catch-all for keys and trinkets.
About the Makers
Wedgwood (England)
Founded in 1759, Wedgwood is one of England's most prestigious ceramic manufacturers. The "Of Etruria & Barlaston" backstamp indicates production at their Barlaston factory, which opened in 1940. The Summer Sky pattern exemplifies Wedgwood's mid-century design sensibility - understated elegance with a modern edge. The Barlaston shape, with its clean lines and comfortable proportions, remains a favourite among collectors.
Villeroy & Boch (Luxembourg)
Established in 1748, Villeroy & Boch is one of Europe's oldest and most respected ceramic companies. The Le Ballon pattern represents their 1980s collaboration with contemporary artists, creating limited-edition designs that combined traditional craftsmanship with modern illustration. These pieces are increasingly collectible as the patterns were produced for only a few years.
Perfect For
- Afternoon tea enthusiasts who appreciate vintage European ceramics
- Collectors of Wedgwood or Villeroy & Boch seeking rare patterns
- Creating an elegant tea service with coordinated serving pieces
- Gifting lovers of vintage tableware or ceramic art
- Intimate gatherings, morning coffee rituals, or solo tea moments
- Styling tea trays, breakfast nooks, or coffee tables
- Those who value quality craftsmanship and timeless design
- Adding functional beauty to daily routines
Condition
Wedgwood Summer Sky Duos: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, crazing, or restoration. Minimal bottom wear to the base of both teacups - typical of careful use. Glaze is smooth and lustrous, colours remain vibrant and true.
Villeroy & Boch Le Ballon Dish: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, crazing, or restoration. Minimal bottom and surface wear consistent with light use. Illustration is crisp and vibrant with no fading. Glaze is smooth and intact.
All pieces show minimal signs of age and appear to have been cherished and carefully stored throughout their lifetime.
Product Details
Wedgwood Duos:
- Maker: Wedgwood
- Origin: Made in England
- Date: 1962
- Pattern: Summer Sky ("Of Etruria & Barlaston" line, 1955-1972)
- Shape: Barlaston
- Material: Fine earthenware
- Quantity: Two cup and saucer sets
- Weight: 235g each (470g total)
Villeroy & Boch Dish:
- Maker: Villeroy & Boch
- Origin: Made in Luxembourg
- Date: 1984-1988
- Pattern: Le Ballon (designed by Jan Mercier)
- Material: Vitreous porcelain
- Dimensions: 15cm W × 26cm L
- Weight: 288g
- Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
Total set weight: Approximately 758g
Care Instructions
Wedgwood pieces: Hand wash recommended with mild detergent and warm water to preserve the vintage finish. Avoid abrasive cleaners and sudden temperature changes. Dry thoroughly after washing.
Villeroy & Boch dish: Dishwasher and microwave safe, though hand washing is recommended to preserve the illustration's vibrancy over time.
Handle all pieces with care - these are vintage ceramics with decades of history.
The Value Proposition
This curated set offers exceptional value by combining two rare, discontinued patterns from prestigious European makers. The Wedgwood Summer Sky pattern is increasingly difficult to find, particularly in excellent condition, while the Villeroy & Boch Le Ballon pattern's limited production run (just four years) makes it highly collectible. Together, they create a cohesive tea service that's both functional and beautiful - perfect for daily use or special occasions.
A beautifully curated collection that celebrates European ceramic heritage - perfect for those who appreciate the ritual of tea served with style, history, and a touch of Continental charm.
Age of an Item
Antique: An item that is at least 100 years old.
Vintage: An item that is at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old and is representative of its era.
Retro: A newer item designed in the style of a past era. It is not from that era but is a modern homage to it.
Condition of an Item
Mint: As new, with no signs of wear.
Excellent Vintage Condition (EVC): Shows minimal signs of wear through use but is not perfect.
Very Good Vintage Condition (VGVC): Shows some signs of age and use but is still in good overall shape.
Good Vintage Condition (GVC): Shows clear signs of wear, use, and age.
Perfectly Imperfect: This is not an official term. We've adopted it for the purposes of The Timeless Edit because we believe damaged items still have value. Our definition of Perfectly Imperfect is if an item has visible damage but remains beautiful as a decorative piece or suitable for use in a different capacity from that for which it was originally designed.
Common Flaws found in Antique and Vintage Items
Crazing: Crazing is the existence of web of fine cracks that only occurs in the glaze layer of Fine Bone China and porcelain. It is a normal occurrence, particularly in older items.
- Clean Crazing: The cracks are clear, without any staining from food, moisture, or other contaminants. Clean crazing can be used as an intentional decorative design element.
- Stained Crazing: This occurs when food particles, bacteria, or other contaminants get into the cracks over time, causing them to darken and become visually conspicuous. Items with stained crazing are not recommended for use with food but are still great for use as a decorative piece or other practical function.
Flea Bite: A flea bite is a tiny, pin-sized chip or nick in the surface of an item. It is a common form of imperfection in older items, especially glass.
Bottom Wear: This is common in older items, especially glass, and is often an indication of age. Wear to the base of an item is caused by everyday use over time and includes scratches, scuffs, shallow chips, flakes, and flea bites.
Chip: chips are considered either shallow or deep. A shallow chip is typically inconspicuous. A deep chip is large enough to be immediately apparent.
Flake: a small and shallow chip which breaks the surface of an item.
Scratch: a mark which compromises the surface of an item, and which feels raised, rough or sharp to the touch. Not to be confused with Straw Marks and marks which can occur during the manufacturing process.
Hairline Crack. This is a narrow and tight break going through glaze and porcelain body and is visible from both sides of the item. It is not always immediately obvious and can be missed on first inspection. Generally, a hairline crack does not affect the integrity of the item.
Water Mark/Stain: patches, ridges, deposits and clouding on glass caused by water left standing in the vessel for a lengthy period. Such stains can’t be removed.
Air Bubbles: Air bubbles in hand-blown glass are a natural result of the traditional glassmaking process, where air becomes trapped in the molten glass during its creation. They are often seen as a sign of authenticity, indicating the item is handmade and unique, rather than a defect. While a small number of bubbles is generally acceptable, a high concentration of bubbles may indicate fragility. There are exceptions though. In some cases, air bubbles are an intentional decorative feature where artists have used specific Molds or techniques to control their appearance. Also, air bubbles are found in Depression Glass due to its mass production method, where the glass was quickly moulded with little concern for perfection. These bubbles are a common characteristic that signifies authentic pieces.
Maker’s Miss: This is an unintentional inclusion or air bubble in the item caused or overlooked by the glass blower or maker in the manufacturing process.
Firing Flaw: This is original flaw cased during the firing process. Examples include pinholes or blisters in the glaze, grit stuck to the glaze, stains caused by an impurity in the porcelain and shrinkage cracks that have opened during the drying or firing process. This is not considered damage.
Straw marks: These are marks on the external surface of glass that look like fine lines or even scratches. They occur when molten glass is cut with shears, and the resulting mark doesn't fully smooth out before the glass cools and sets. They are not considered damage but are instead a common characteristic of old, handmade, or machine-pressed glass. Unlike a scratch, straw marks feel smooth to the touch. Straw Marks are commonly found in Depression and Carnival Glass.
