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, but this is unlikely to be the complete collection which probably included over 100 objects.
Many of the saucers and bowls have inscriptions giving the names of the estates which they depict. However, other images cannot be identified and may be fictional houses. A selection showing some of the known houses can be seen below.
