Tea pot c. 1780 - 1790

This tea set was created by the Caughley or Salopian Works, yet its date remains unknown. Caughley was one of several English manufacturers producing porcelain wares in imitation of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. During the 18th century, tea was a luxury item consumed by wealthy Europeans, often associated with aristocratic women who would host tea parties. The tea set became a central symbol in displays of wealth and refinement. The cobalt-blue designs on the tea set emulate the aesthetics of Chinese porcelain. These wares were highly prized possessions, reflecting an era of intense global trade and colonial exchange. Though meant for intimate, domestic settings, these objects tell a larger story about the global movement of goods, cultural appropriation, and the complex relationship between colonizers and colonized. It prompts us to reflect on the stories behind the objects we consume and the people and cultures that shape our desires.