A tea service is a set of cups, saucers and bowls. This set was made in the 1820s and features intricate paintings of local houses and estates. Not much is known about the origins of the set but it was most likely commissioned by a wealthy local family. The museum holds 60 pieces, this is unlikely to be the complete collection which probably included over 100 objects.
Many of the saucers and bowls have the names of the estates they depict inscribed on them, however others cannot be identified and may be fictional houses. A selection of some of the known houses can be seen below.
