|
     
Decorative Arts o
Costumes o
Toys o
Fine Arts o
Tools o
Music o
Transportation
Children's Collections
Playthings ~ Clothing
Child's Tea Service
Earthenware: transfer printed
English, circa 1900
Maker: C. Allerton & Sons
Gift of Beth Paynter, 79.1.12
A doll's tea party was a way in which children could imitate and consequently learn the social behavior of their parents. This tea service, scaled down to child sized hands, includes a service for six. The printed design depicts the quintessential puppet personalities of Punch and Judy. Charles Allerton and Sons, Longton, Staffordshire were in business from 1859 to 1912. They were known for their toy tea sets and their Punch and Judy pattern. In 1908, a Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog advertised 8 different types of children's tea sets: 4 in china, 1 in tin, and 3 in silver. One of the china sets, similar in form and described as decorated with scenes from fairy tales, sold for only $1.
|
