Bonhams next sale of Fine British Porcelain on March 8 includes a rare tea service of Suffragette interest dating from 1905, decorated with the badge of the Women's Social and Political Union.

This tangible link with the Suffragettes and the gentle pastime of teadrinking is estimated to sell for £1,500 to £2,000. The Art Noveau style tea set has six cups and saucers, small plates, a teapot and a cake plate and is printed in green and washed-in in purple, with the symbol of a trumpeting angel under the banner 'Freedom' and the initials WSPU. The rims are also picked out in green and bears the printed mark for H.M. Williamson and Sons of Longton. Estimate £1,500-2,000.

The WSPU (Women's Social and Political Union) was established in 1903 by Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst. Disillusioned with the stance of the NUWSS (National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies) the Pankhursts instead founded a more militant party, believing in 'Deeds not words'. Members of the WSPU, known as 'Suffragettes', were encouraged to dress in purple, green and white, the colours of the Union.

Mrs Pethick-Lawrence, co-editor of the weekly newspaper 'Votes for Women', explained the symbolism of the colours. "Purple as everyone knows is the royal colour. It stands for the royal blood that flows in the veins of every suffragette, the instinct of freedom and dignity... white stands for purity in private and public life... green is the colour of hope and the emblem of spring." Sylvia Pankhurst was a gifted artist and used the colours to design banners and also memorabilia. It is possible she designed the insignia used on this teaset.

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.