] Those were interesting websites -- thanks for the links.

] What I have gleaned from museums and various antique dealers about handles vs. non agrees with what you said, but to expand it a little, handleless teacups could either be (a) early tea-bowls in imitation of Asian tea equipment or (b) later goods produced without handles for greater durability. The ones frequently seen with transfer patterns or hand-painted sprig designs are of the latter category.

] At antique shows I have seen early 3-piece sets with a rounded teacup, straight-sided smaller coffee cup, and single saucer. I'm told that was the way they were sold, with the single saucer to be used when either beverage was served.

] Then there's the cup plate, supposedly used when the tea-drinker poured the tea from the cup into the saucer (intending to drink from the saucer), then needing something to set the cup down on to avoid spoiling the tablecloth. (See link below.) Complex business, this tea-drinking!