Him and Her Winking Face Teacups, circa 1950

Cathy bought these winking him & her face teacups at a yard sale: five dollars for the pair. We think they date from about 1950. The Ridgway-style mark on the back says "STERLING Made in England". That's Sterling Pottery Co. (Ltd), a Staffordshire pottery company acquired by Ridgway in 1950.

Looking on the internet, the lady is fairly common, but the gentleman seems to be rarer. Maybe that's because guys are harder on their teacups, so their cups get broken more often.

Some websites say both cups are women, but when I see the two together, the differences in the lips and eyebrows really seem to indicate he vs. she. Furthermore, ladies rarely wore bow-ties in 1950. That's the clincher, in my opinion.