From the late 1600s onwards, tea drinking was an increasingly popular social activity - especially amongst the wealthy; and in spite of its high price and the heavy duty imposed on it, tea gradually became a universal delight, drunk in both public places and fashionable houses  However, by around 1750 the proliferation of tea gardens in and around London – hitherto regarded as the sole province of the wealthy – began attracting a less desirable clientele and to exhibit a rather less exclusive ambiance. Consequently it became fashionable for the rich to invite friends, family and acquaintances to take tea ‘At Home’ thereby maintaining the sociability of the ritual and at the same time manifesting the ideal opportunity for hosts to show off their wealth and status by lining up expensive, interesting and beautifully made tea wares upon their specially designated tea table.

The cabinet makers of the late 18th Century, as ever closely attuned to the demands of extravagant fashionable taste, had been quick to turn their attention to the design and making of suitable ornamental tables.  And these are the tables sometimes referred to as silver tables simply because of  the role they played as display stands for all the various items deemed necessary for the taking of tea: teapots, tea services, caddies, caddy spoons, sugar canisters and so on, items frequently made of precious materials like tortoiseshell and mother of pearl but most especially of silver.

Contact us here about this item