Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - February 23, 1986
By Deborah Curtis
Vigo County Historical Society

Tiny tea set survives 100 years

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, afternoon tea parties were an important part of the middle-class English and upper-crust American life. It is not surprising that miniature tea sets became an essential part of every little girl’s playthings, affording her important role-playing practice in the proper way of pouring tea and making polite conversation in the imitation of her mother.

Most pre-World War I tea sets came from Germany, although English and Japanese imports later made up most of the market. Many sets were inexpensive tinware, but the richer classes often bought exact replicas of fine china and silver plate. Potters and silversmiths often were commissioned to make both the full-sized and miniature ware for a household.

Miniature kitchen ware came in a variety of sizes, some small enough to fit into doll houses, and some large enough for actual use by children at play. The larger services often were arranged before doll guests, while the youthful hostess pretended to pour tea.

A variety of other small utensils rounded out the make-believe kitchen, including realistic-looking stoves, pots and pans, candlesticks and "pretend" food.

This week’s historical treasure--a china tea set dating from around 1880--is on display in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley. It is a treasure for several reasons.

First, the set, which includes a teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, service tray and two cups and saucers is in mint condition. The china features a thick, white, uncracked glaze with rich gilding. The pot measures 4 1/2 inches tall, and the cup openings are 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Perhaps the most important reason the set is such a treasure is that it has survived. Given the delicacy of the china and the frequent accidents of children at play, few similar sets would likely have survived more than 100 years.

The tea set was donated by Barbara Wilkinson in 1985. She inherited it from an uncle, and resident of upstate New York, whose mother was the original owner.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday.