Tea and Coffee Service thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Metalware, Room 116, The Belinda Gentle Gallery

Tea and Coffee Service

ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 18th century in Britain, tea was costly and tea-drinking was an occasion of great ceremony. By about 1750 etiquette demanded matching tea services. These included hot water urns, kettles, cream jugs and sugar bowls.

This service is chased with fashionable 'Chinoiserie' motifs (a western version of eastern style) and coated in lacquer.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 7 parts.

  • Kettle
  • Teapot
  • Lid of Kettle
  • Stand for Kettle
  • Burner for Kettle
  • Lid of Teapot
  • Stand for Teapot and Coffee Pot
Materials and techniques
Copper, chased and repoussé with gilt details
Brief description
Kettle with stand and lamp from tea and coffee service, copper with gilt details, Saxony, ca. 1750
Physical description
This kettle is chased with fashionable 'Chinoiserie' motifs (a western version of eastern style) and coated in lacquer. It has a burner which would have been used to keep liquids warm.
Historical context
Tea was costly and tea-drinking was an occasion of great ceremony. By about 1750 etiquette demanded matching tea services. These included hot water urns, kettles, cream jugs and sugar bowls. This service is chased with fashionable 'Chinoiserie' motifs (a western version of eastern style) and coated in lacquer.
Summary
In the 18th century in Britain, tea was costly and tea-drinking was an occasion of great ceremony. By about 1750 etiquette demanded matching tea services. These included hot water urns, kettles, cream jugs and sugar bowls.

This service is chased with fashionable 'Chinoiserie' motifs (a western version of eastern style) and coated in lacquer.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
M.144-1919

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Record createdJanuary 28, 2004
Record URL
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