Overview

Why did polite society lift its little finger along when raising the tea-cup to the mouth? What is a mote spoon? What is the origin of the word caddy ? This book takes readers through the various groups of tea equipage used over the past 350 years. The story behind the development of the various pieces of tea brewing and drinking equipment all have a tale to tell - sometimes an extraordinary one. Learn why Cruickshank's poor Frenchman was compelled to drink 14 cups of tea because he didn't understand the custom of standing the spoon in the cup to indicate that one had had enough. The book contains lively and pithy contemporary quotes from literature, diaries, trade catalogues and historical documents together with a selection of illustrations.

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9780750932837

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Reviews

This is a beautiful and elegant book, peppered throughout with delightful photographs and illustrations that bring the story of tea to life. The book details the history of British tea wares, why they developed, how their use has evolved and the development of tea etiquette and trade. It is packed with fascinating facts, anecdotes and poetry. The ritual of tea drinking links us to the ancient world. Tea drinking has a 5,000 year history that began in China in 2737 BC. The author sets out to reveal tea's fascinating journey from East to West. The social and economic history is enhanced by details of the vast array of styles and designs that have shaped tea wares across the world and through the centuries. The author's enchantment with beautiful tea wares began at her grandmother's house where afternoon tea was a weekend family ritual - to the child it evoked an elegant world of princes and princesses. She later opened an Art Deco tea shop in Clapham, attempting to recreate the charm of the 1930's, when going to tea was an important element of social life in Britain. Since then, the revival of interest in tea has been world-wide, with new tea rooms and shops opening up across the globe. Design for Tea is a celebration of the universal pleasure and reassurance of the tea ritual. Through this definitive book, the author aims to enhance the readers' enjoyment of the tea ceremony by providing a greater understanding of a history that stretches back thousands of years. Stylish and informative, this is a book to browse through at leisure -preferably while sipping tea from a china cup! (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Jane Pettigrew's career intea began in 1983, when she opened Tea-Time in Clapham, London. Her books include Jane Pettigrew's Tea-Time (DK1986). The National Trust Book of Tea-time Recipes (1989), Tea (Grange 1999) and A Social History of Tea (NT18.99, 2001). She also regularly publishes articles on tea and tea-drinking. Jane lectures and speaks at conferences around the world.

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