Well now, let me tell ya somethin’ about these here Victorian tea sets. I ain’t no fancy lady, but I seen a thing or two, and I know what’s what when it comes to a good cuppa tea and the things ya drink it from.

Them rich folks back in the day, the Victorians they call ’em, they sure loved their tea. Not just any tea mind ya, but the good stuff, Ceylon and Assam they called it. Fancy leaves, not like the bags we get now. And get this, they didn’t even put milk and sugar in it! Said it messed with the flavor. Can ya believe that? Me, I like a good spoonful of sugar, but to each their own I guess.

Now, these tea sets, they weren’t just somethin’ to hold your tea. They was a big deal, a show of how much money ya had, ya see. Some of them sets, oh my, they were somethin’ else. All fancy with swirls and pictures and whatnot. The more stuff on ’em, the more they was worth, seems like. Just like them fancy cars today, all chrome and glitter.

• Them old sets, the real old ones, they’re the ones that cost a pretty penny. Folks collect ’em like they collect stamps or them little porcelain dolls. The older it is, the more they want it. Supply and demand, I heard the fella on the TV sayin’ somethin’ like that.
• And talkin’ about money, you can find these sets all over, if you know where to look. Places like that “1stDibs” place, they got all sorts of fancy furniture and tea sets, but be prepared to shell out some dough. eBay, now there’s a place you might find a bargain, but ya gotta be careful, lots of folks tryin’ to trick ya.
• Then there’s them new sets tryin’ to look old. They ain’t the same, mind ya, but they’re cheaper and still pretty. You can find ’em at places like Wayfair, or even just in the stores. Some of ’em even come with electric kettles and all sorts of modern stuff. Not my cup of tea, if ya catch my drift, but some folks like it.

And what about them tea parties? Well, it wasn’t like no party I ever been to. Them rich folks, they’d have tea in the afternoon, ‘tween lunch and supper. And they’d eat little bitty sandwiches, and cookies, and candies and cakes. All fancy-like. Not like our church socials, with the potluck and the big ol’ slices of pie.

You can get all sorts of pieces in a set. Teacups, saucers, spoons, teapots, the whole shebang. Some even got them little trays to carry it all on. And the designs! Flowers, birds, all sorts of pretty things. Some even got gold on ’em! Can ya imagine? Drinkin’ tea outta a gold cup!

I seen some sets with roses on ’em, and some with leaves and vines. And then there’s them silver ones. Shiny and heavy. Them silversmiths, they knew what they was doin’. Took ’em hours, I bet, to make just one little spoon. And the porcelain, so thin ya could almost see through it. But strong, too. Stood up to years of use, some of them sets.

So, if you’re lookin’ for a Victorian tea set, ya gotta think about what you want. An old one, a new one, a fancy one, a plain one. And how much you’re willin’ to spend. But one thing’s for sure, a nice cup of tea in a pretty teacup, well, there’s nothin’ quite like it. Even for an old gal like me. It warms ya up inside and out, ya know?

Whether it’s a simple cup or a fancy affair, it’s all about takin’ a moment and enjoyin’ the simple things in life. And sometimes, doin’ it with a little bit of style, even if it’s just pretendin’ to be fancy for a little while. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that, now is there?

So there ya have it, a little bit about them Victorian tea sets, from a plain ol’ woman who appreciates a good cuppa tea. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go put the kettle on.

Tags: [Victorian Tea Set, Antique Tea Set, Tea Party, Ceylon Tea, Assam Tea, Vintage Tea Set, Collectible Tea Set, Silver Tea Set, Porcelain Tea Set, 1stDibs, eBay, Wayfair]