1960s Harlequin Wartsila Arabia Tennis Cups & Saucers Set

• Harlequin Set - A harlequin set is a collection of items that are similar in style or design but feature different variations in colour, construction or pattern. The term "harlequin" comes from the traditional costume worn by a character in Italian commedia dell'arte, which is made up of different coloured patches.
  
  For example with furniture, a harlequin set may refer to a group of chairs, typically dining chairs, where a number of the chairs are identical in design but one or more of the chairs may have a difference in the design of the leg or back. Harlequin sets can be found in silver flatware, porcelain dinner settings and glassware settings.
• Tennis Set - Tennis became a popular pastime in the 1860s and 1870s, and the tennis set was brought out when it was time for refreshments. A tennis set comprises a tea or coffee cup on an elongated 'saucer', the extra space on the saucer designed to hold a delicate cucumber sandwich or cake.
• Harlequin - The Harlequin is a character from the Italian commedia dell'arte, a form of theatre typified by characters wearing masks, and acting out unscripted performances. There are corresponding characters in the French and Spanish theatre.
  
  In dress, he is characterised by his hat, mask, and colourful diamond-pattern tunic.
  
  Columbine is the mistress of Harlequin, and the wife of Pierrot.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Arabia (Finland) - ceramics 56