We have so many cup plates that I thought I'd make a new category. There are many theories about cup plates but they really were made as such. They were designed to protect the tea table or tea cloth when the tea drinker poured the tea into the saucer and placed the cup on the cup plate. Of course, the tea drinker drank from the saucer! Sometimes it is difficult to determine if a piece is a cup plate or a doll plate. Some patterns are known to be a part of a doll service. Somtimes, it is just guessing. Enjoy!