If there’s one thing you can count on at the thrift store or antique market, it’s an abundance of cups. From sparkling barware on delicate stems to chunky mugs with a hefty and satisfying hand-feel, countless styles and silhouettes are ripe for the picking (and drinking).

While some are lovely in an everyday sort of way, others have special backstories. Cait Barker, vintage expert and co-founder of Bessette, says, “Vintage cups are one of our favorite things to thrift. They’re affordable entry points into collecting, and they tell beautiful stories through their maker’s marks, designs, and glazes.”

She adds that they’re also incredibly versatile, and can be used for everything from serving drinks and desserts to holding flowers, jewelry, or small trinkets. To help you in your search for the perfect vessels, we asked experts about the cups you should keep an eye out for when perusing secondhand shops.

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