Featured Early 20th century cups and saucers

I purchased a set of three of these yesterday. Odd number! On all but one item, the number has been ground off. Factory seconds maybe. They have gone out of their way to remove all identity. The number that remains looks like 3168 but it is very faint

 

What makes you think that these are early 20th c. and not mid- 19th?

 

Nothing in particular. It was a shot in the dark really. If you told me they were mid 19th I would believe it.

 

I'm thinking with that design and colour, somewhere 1840 to 1870ish. Wide range, I know but maybe on the earlier side because there is no indentation for the cup to rest in the saucer.

 

Interesting information. Thank you. It's more accurate than my complete guess. I never even noticed the lack of the indentation. There is a very subtle step but I think that this is more to do with the formation of the foot rim. The manufacturer has eluded me. I have found a very similar pattern on some Ridgway cups but the handles dont fit.

 

Is it safe to call them staffordshire?

 

I think so. Looks similar to designs and colour palette to some Staff potteries.