Country Garden Tea Set by Martha Andresen

This is a vintage-style miniature or child-size ceramic tea set titled 'Country Garden,' featuring floral artwork by artist Martha Andresen. The set is presented in its original retail display packaging with a clear plastic window and a decorative cardboard frame adorned with rose motifs. The collection includes a uniquely shaped four-footed teapot with a matching lid, two teacups, a creamer, and a sugar bowl with a lid. Each piece is crafted from cream-colored glazed ceramic and decorated with a romanticized transfer-print design of pink and yellow roses and purple field flowers. A notable feature is the inclusion of sentimental text on the vessels; the teapot body reads 'Flowers make life sweet,' and the bottom of the packaging bears the quote 'Come sit by me and share a cup of loving tea.' The teapot stands on four distinct feet, giving it an antique profile, and handles are designed with slight scrolls. Based on the branding (CIB and Lily Creek markings), this set likely dates from the late 20th to early 21st century. The condition appears to be 'New Old Stock' (NOS), meaning it is unused and still secured within its original factory form-fitted packaging, though the box itself shows minor shelf wear and slight softening of the cardboard corners.

I have conducted a visual examination of the 'Country Garden' miniature tea set featuring artwork by Martha Andresen, manufactured under the Lily Creek/CIB brand. The set appears to be in 'New Old Stock' (NOS) condition, which is a significant value driver for collectors of late 20th-century giftware. The glaze exhibits a high luster with no visible crazing or chips, and the transfer-print floral motifs remain vibrant without fading. The original packaging, while showing minor shelf wear, provides excellent provenance and confirms the set’s intended decorative/giftware market positioning. The market for miniature ceramic sets of this era is stable but specialized. Comparables for Lily Creek and similar designer-led tea sets (such as those by Reutter Porcelain or various 1990s giftware brands) typically range from $30 to $80 depending on the complexity of the forms. The four-footed teapot design and the inclusion of sentimental text ('Flowers make life sweet') increase its appeal to the 'shabby chic' and cottagecore collector demographics. Limitations of this appraisal include the inability to inspect the underside of each piece for complete maker's marks or to check for internal hairline fractures not visible through the packaging. Full authentication would require removing the items from the box to verify the consistency of the ceramic weight and the quality of the 'CIB' stampings. In-person inspection would also confirm if there are any chemical residues or structural weaknesses in the adhesive used for the handles. For definitive valuation, provenance documentation such as a 1990s retail receipt or original catalog listing would be ideal to establish a precise production date.