Traveling tea set c. 1825

This anonymous "Traveling Tea Set" from c. 1825, now part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection, is a quintessential example of early 19th-century silver craftsmanship. The set includes a teapot, creamer, and sugar bowl, each boasting a sleek, polished finish and detailed embellishments. The square-shaped teapot with its elegant spout and handle, alongside the delicate creamer and sugar bowl, speaks to the growing popularity of tea drinking in 19th-century society. The set's compact size, perfect for travel, hints at the increased social mobility of the era, as individuals took their tea-time rituals beyond their homes.