Lenox Federal Platinum Bone China 5-Piece Place Setting, Service for 1, White -

Great quality fine china

It all started with a simple desire to drink less coffee, and ended with this beautiful tea cup. My knowledge of teas was limited to the iced Southern sweet kind, so I started reading up. Eventually, I read  The Book of Tea , a free Kindle book on Amazon, published in 1906. Besides the history, types & preparation of teas, the author explains the Japanese tea ceremony and how it illustrates certain tenets of Zen Buddhism. It really changed, for me, the experience of having a cup of tea into something meditative but energizing, heart-warming and wonderful, so I decided to treat myself (Oops. There goes my Zen Buddhism cred)to a befitting cup.I'd never purchased a piece of Lenox china before, so I was unprepared. The elegant, classic packaging says right away that there's something special inside, but this beautiful, delicate piece of art far exceeded my expectations. The platinum trim is elegantly understated. It's not the amount of platinum on the cup that makes it special; it's the amount of light that dances around the platinum rims of the cup & saucer that transform these pieces into something simple yet quite exquisite.I'm pretty sure that in no other area of my life can I entertain the notion that I have somehow "arrived," but when it comes to my journey through the discovery of tea, this cup makes me feel like I have. We all know the benefits of tea, and the antioxidant powerhouses that are green & white teas, so I'm sure this beautiful piece of Lenox bone china also benefits my health because I love to drink tea from it. If you're so inclined, I'd recommend  Numi Organic Tea White Rose, Full Leaf White Tea, 16-Count Tea Bags - 1.13 oz (Pack of 3)The Book of TeaNumi Organic Tea White Rose, Full Leaf White Tea, 16-Count Tea Bags - 1.13 oz (Pack of 3)

I use this teapot daily and have for 3 years. I put it in the dishwasher once a week and it still looks new. It comes out beautifully white each time and I don't scrub it one bit. It's really nice, though I wish the base of the spout had a built in strainer. You can't use loose leaf tea in it without a third party strainer because it'll clog the spout. (Amazon sells a good one with arms that open out that will fit.)Sadly, the lid fell out when I was pouring one day and the little handle on it broke off. I've been looking for a lid ever since (2.5 years ago) and still, it's never been available. I wish Lenox would make replacement parts that are prone to breakage more easily available. This is the only reason I docked a star. Lenox, if you read this and help me get that lid replacement, I will gratefully bump this up to 5.

Would have given them a 5 star but saucer arrived with hairline cracks in bottom.Likely will need to exchange. Love the simplicity of the pattern. Set Arrived quickly!

Delivery was prompt. China items well packed, no damage. Will buy again.