TOY TEA SETS
Introduction | Pottery & Porcelain Tea Sets | Glass Tea Sets | Metal Tea Sets | Storybook Tea Sets | Bibliography
Miniature tea sets can be found in three categories: 1. Children’s tableware (1:3 scale) 2. Tea sets for dolls (1:4 or 1:5 scale) and 3. Dollhouse size (1:12 scale)
Toy tea sets made out of pewter or copper first came into being in Germany during the sixteenth century. Porcelain tea sets were made in the eighteenth century, but they were not meant as everyday toys. Because of their fragility and high price, children were allowed to use them only under supervision. During the nineteenth century, Bakelite and celluloid were used to make more practical tea sets for children. (Robinson)
Tea sets most likely provided a fun way of teaching table manners to children. Though I have to wonder how may boys were invited into this kind of play. Still, not all tea sets were fairies and Little Bo Peep. Some came with Davy Crockett – much more enticing to the boys, although those were more likely to be made in the child size, rather than dolly size.
Multitudes of design themes can be found in children’s table and play sets – floral designs, the alphabet, nursery rhymes, cartoon characters, animals, fables and holiday motifs can be found.
Children’s tableware and tea sets were made in large quantities in Europe during the 19thcentury. It was also made in this country, but it can be found most often in glass, due to the large number of glass manufacturers in the United States. Children’s tableware and tea sets reached a peak in the Europe at the turn of the twentieth century. The heyday for the United States came between 1920 and 1940. After World Ware II, Japanese imports dominated the market, hurting the sales of both American and European products. (Buchholz)
Wars had a big impact on the toy marketplace. Japan was the big winner because they were able to take advantage of the upheaval in Europe after both World Wars. The invention of plastic and the ability to produce non-breakable and inexpensive toys led to a boom for them and the decline of the European china, porcelain and pottery tea sets. (Punchard)
Toy tea sets made out of pewter or copper first came into being in Germany during the sixteenth century. Porcelain tea sets were made in the eighteenth century, but they were not meant as everyday toys. Because of their fragility and high price, children were allowed to use them only under supervision. During the nineteenth century, Bakelite and celluloid were used to make more practical tea sets for children. (Robinson)
Tea sets most likely provided a fun way of teaching table manners to children. Though I have to wonder how may boys were invited into this kind of play. Still, not all tea sets were fairies and Little Bo Peep. Some came with Davy Crockett – much more enticing to the boys, although those were more likely to be made in the child size, rather than dolly size.
Multitudes of design themes can be found in children’s table and play sets – floral designs, the alphabet, nursery rhymes, cartoon characters, animals, fables and holiday motifs can be found.
Children’s tableware and tea sets were made in large quantities in Europe during the 19thcentury. It was also made in this country, but it can be found most often in glass, due to the large number of glass manufacturers in the United States. Children’s tableware and tea sets reached a peak in the Europe at the turn of the twentieth century. The heyday for the United States came between 1920 and 1940. After World Ware II, Japanese imports dominated the market, hurting the sales of both American and European products. (Buchholz)
Wars had a big impact on the toy marketplace. Japan was the big winner because they were able to take advantage of the upheaval in Europe after both World Wars. The invention of plastic and the ability to produce non-breakable and inexpensive toys led to a boom for them and the decline of the European china, porcelain and pottery tea sets. (Punchard)