The Evolution Of British Tea-Wares

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:37:39 +0000

Tea arrived in Britain in the mid 17th century via the ships of the East India company – and with it the need for expensive, new, unfamiliar equipment in the form of delicate porcelain teapots and tea bowls from China.

From this moment a whole new range of products evolved associated with this highly fashionable commodity that quickly became central to British culture and society: tea caddies, spoons, tea tables and trays as well as the porcelain itself became the focal point for designers and makers across the country.

For centuries potters across Europe had struggled to emulate the fine porcelains from China, our own earthenwares were completely unsuitable for tea drinking – the race was on.

The key to the development of British porcelain was the invention of bone china.

In 1791 Britain was involved in a European war and the East India Company decided to cease imports of Chinese porcelain.

Early English teacup designs and shapes were often based on Chinese and Japanese patterns, attempting to emulate the porcelains of the orient in both pattern and style as well as body.

Porcelain was so expensive that tea services were sold in tea trios: one saucer to two cups, one for your tea and one for your coffee or chocolate.

British porcelain tea ware decoration reached an exceptional level in the early decades of the nineteenth century.

During the late 1820’s and early 1830’s it became common place to elaborately decorate the saucer and the inside of the cup, your guests would marvel at the wondrous decoration emerging as they sipped their tea away.

Porcelain distributors discouraged the use of pottery identification marks during this era, pieces were marked with a small fraction (pattern) number which can be found in different hands and colours and which refer to pottery design pattern books.

Eco-Antique Teacup Candles

The Evolution Of British Tea-Wares